King Island Response Team leaps into action

PREMIER Jeremy Rockliff is adamant that King Island Dairy will not close, and a buyer will be found, reiterating his words from February: “not on my watch.”

The Premier and Labor Senator Anne Urquhart were on King Island last Friday and at the top of the agenda was a meeting with the King Island Dairy workers. 

Only a week earlier, they were informed by employer Saputo that King Island Dairy would close by mid-2025 after the company was unsuccessful in securing a buyer and the brand retired. 

The first meeting of the King Island Response Team (KIRT) was held at the Council Chambers. The Premier chaired the meeting and members included Senator Urquhart, Mayor Marcus Blackie, Deputy Mayor Vernon Philbey, Acting Council GM Catherine Dale, two representatives from Saputo and the State Growth Under Secretary. 

Government support staff observers were also present. 

At the inaugural meeting of KIRT the Premier primarily tabled the draft terms of reference and confirmed the makeup of this new group. 

The next monthly meeting of the KIRT will be expanded to include selected King Island industry representatives. 

“The KIRT will continue to be personally chaired by the Premier, focused not only on King Island Dairy developments, but also our broader future economic development,” Mr Blackie said. 

“This is a very difficult time for workers and their families, and in fact the whole community, however, we will work together with the King Island community to provide as much support as possible,” he said. 

The KIRT is currently finalising the terms of reference. “We’ve always stepped up to support the island,” Mr Rockliff told King Island TV. 

“The island’s been through a lot over the last nine months…the driest year on record, challenging times emotionally and business-wise for the beef and dairy farmers and the local community has rallied.

In these times it is the well-being of people that is crucial.” 

Despite Saputo's announcement, the Premier noted – after flying in over green pastures, not the dry landscape of a few months ago, and after attending Elders Open Day where he talked with locals from all walks of life – that he felt the island is more positive.

 “The change is due to the resilience of King Islanders and the support in partnership that we provided with other organisations,”he said. “My message to the King Island Dairy workers and backed up by Senator Urquhart, who is also a great friend to the island, is that the factory is not closed yet. 

“King Island Dairy still remains. Our objective today is the first step in ensuring we keep the factory going, the King Island Dairy going, people employed and the brand very strong. 

“I’ve represented this island for 20 years. First and foremost, two decades as the local member. Any local member worth their salt will be doing all they possibly can to keep this factory open. It’s so much more than cheese. It’s the King Island brand.”

The Premier, Senator Urquhart and Mayor Blackie went to the cheese factory in Loorana and met the King Island Dairy staff. 

“The three of us spoke to and heard from a midday gathering of all King Island Dairy staff, displaying the solidarity of our three levels of Government staunchly working together to assist in this crisis and doing our best to boost morale,” Mr Blackie said. 

While acknowledging Saputo’s struggles to find a buyer, the Premier remains confident that an attractive investment package could be developed, strengthening the brand with export opportunities, especially with government support. 

“The priority of everyone at this time is to look for a buyer so the Dairy can keep operating into the future – both State and Federal Governments are committed to working together,” Ms Urquhart said. 

Mr Blackie strongly encouraged all King Islanders to hold fast and keep the faith. “Serious moves are now afoot to sell the dairy and save the jobs involved”, Mr Blackie said. 

“While no guarantees can be made, I am very confident of a good outcome having personally spoken to many of the interested buyers, as well as channelling the huge media interest. 

“It is critically important that our dairy workers focus on the task at hand, keep making the best cheese, while this plays out over the coming months.”