Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin was not happy when Norco lost its Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) contract in August to the Bega Group who own Dairy Farmers, who was awarded a state-wide contract.

Ms Saffin is doubly unhappy now that Hutley Bros. Butchers are added to that list. That contract has gone to Makani Meats, Indigenous Meat Co and Sydney company Dick Stone.

That left Hutley Bros. Butchers out in the cold after supplying quality meat to the NNSWLHD for 31 years. As you can imagine, this would be a large slice of any small businesses income.

"When I became aware that Hutley Butcher's had lost their meat contract with the Northern NSWLHD, I immediately contacted Mr. Hutley to try to help," Ms Saffin said.

"Mr. Hutley has delivered high quality fresh meat to our hospitals for some thirty years without a written contract.

"I inquired and was told that NSW Healthshare bureaucrats introduced a written contract that did not exist before. 

"Mr. Hutley told me that he was advised of this and further that he did not receive it. 

"I am told that NSW Healthshare bureaucrats said they sent it via email. Mr. Hutley said he did not see an emailed contract.

"The result, however, is that Mr. Hutley of Hutley's Butchers lost the contract. This despite being asked to continue supplying post the worst flood in Australia's history.

"Hutley's, along with many other businesses, were totally smashed in the flood, and Mr Hutley started up again to do just that, supply high-quality meat to our local hospitals.

"I have strongly requested direct to the NSW Health Minister to see if he can help. He said he would consider it, and I met him again yesterday, and he is trying. I said we need a timely response.

"I have also sent this imbroglio to the Minister for Procurement to ask to consider that local smaller suppliers do not get squeezed out.  

"I am not happy with any of this at all."

Nor is most of Lismore.

The Lismore App understands that Richmond Waste has also lost its NSW government contract. However, there are no further details.