Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull launched his election campaign at the Brisbane Produce Market on the morning of May 9th, choosing to take a walk through the busy Rocklea Central Market with Brisbane Markets Limited’s (BML) CEO and Directors less than 24 hours after calling the Federal election.
From left, Brismark director Noel Greenhalgh, Brisbane Markets CEO Andrew Young, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Brisbane Markets Director Tony Kelly, Liberal Candidate for Moreton Nic Monsour and Brisbane Markets Limited Director Peter Tighe during a walk through the Brisbane Produce Market, 9 May 2016.
A 40-strong media pack reported every step of the Prime Minister’s movements who was accompanied by Nic Monsour, the Liberal National Party candidate for the Moreton, a Brisbane electorate with the Brisbane Markets in its heart.
Wholesaler Paul Joseph, of Alfred E Chave, greets the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on his tour of the Brisbane Produce Market trading floor.
BML CEO Andrew Young said that choosing the Brisbane Produce Market to start the campaign acknowledged the importance of the fresh produce wholesale industry with the six Central Markets in Australia providing more than 50% of all fruit and vegetables eaten from the plate.
The hour-long wander along Building C in the peak of trading time saw the Prime Minister stop to speak with wholesalers and buyers who are part of a 4,000 people workforce who do business on the Rocklea site daily, most who are hands on moving more than $1.3 billion worth of fresh produce annually.
Scenes from those casual interviews and the Prime Minister tasting some of the fresh produce on his walk were beamed live across Australia and lodged on news services and social media recording every move.
It is not the first time Mr Turnbull has visited the Brisbane Markets having visited in the lead up to the last Federal election in his role as Communications Minister.
For more information:
Vanessa Kennedy
Communications Executive
Tel: +66 (07) 3915 4258/ +66 0438 388 111