THE Bega Valley Festival to be held next week has run into controversy with one company being refused entry.

South East Fibre Exports wanted to be part of the Festival’s Clean Energy Expo and were accepted, but later were told they could not take part.

Corporate Affairs manager of SEFE Vince Phillips wrote to the Bega District News this week, noting the organisation’s disappointment at having permission to take part in the Expo rescinded. (see letter page 4).

When contacted by the BDN, Mr Phillips said he had booked a stand and was invoiced for it.

“We thought that as it was about alternative energy, and we have an alternative energy source, that we would like to be there,” he said.

“We are asked what we were exhibiting and after explaining what we would have there, we were told everything was fine.”

Mr Phillips said that a member of the Festival committee, Geoffrey Grigg, had been in contact to say there had been a backlash with a number of people who had found out SEFE were attending and that “they could not be there”.

“I find it very strange, remarkable and disappointing that we have been excluded,” he said.

“We are used to having people not being able to handle the other side of the debate, but we wish them good luck with the festival anyway, although it’s a shame it has come to this.”

Explaining the decision Mr Grigg said he had canvassed the opinion of “40 or 50 people both in groups and individuals” as to whether SEFE should be allowed to attend the Expo.

“Most people said ‘you’ve got to be joking’ or ‘they’re not sustainable’ and other comments,” he said.

“They all said they had a right to be there but as a committee we thought they were too ‘hot’.”

Mr Grigg said he had argued very strongly for SEFE’s inclusion but the “political backlash would have been too great”.

“Even though we thought that SEFE had a right to be at the Expo, the committee made the decision that we didn’t want a bunfight at the festival,” he said.

“We thought that any political arguments should be made elsewhere and we didn’t need a political debacle.

“This is not a reflection on SEFE and we believe we have acted in the best interests of the festival and treated everyone fairly.

“And we will accept the consequences of our decision.”