Everyone loves chocolate.
At least that's what Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was hoping as he mixed pleasure with policy to make a coalition pledge of $16 million for Hobart's ageing Cadbury factory on Wednesday.
Mouth ajar with apparent delight at times, the would-be prime minister watched as freshly moulded Freddos plopped onto a conveyor belt.
But his funding announcement for the privately-owned Cadbury factory quickly came under scrutiny.
"Sixteen million dollars for a company that has an annual turnover in this country of nearly a billion dollars. Is there still a budget emergency?" a reporter asked after the announcement.
Admitting it was unusual for the federal government to channel money into a commercial operation, Mr Abbott defended the move.
"Tasmania is a special place," he said, citing high unemployment figures and low incomes.
The co-investment will increase productivity and exports, create more than 300 new jobs and boost north Tasmania's dairy industry, Mr Abbott added.
It was a quick stop on the island state for the opposition leader who flew in from Melbourne to spend about two hours at the factory before jetting back to Sydney for his debate date night with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
"Why didn't he come and spend the night? With all these people he's got following him, that would've been the best thing he could do for Tassie," said one Cadbury worker.
Known for his strict fitness regime, Mr Abbott wasn't actually spotted sampling any delights from the factory, but he indicated he might tuck into some takeaways later.
"I have no self discipline when it comes to chocolate," he said.
In Sydney, Mr Abbott matched a $5 million Labor commitment to strengthen and empower indigenous communities by encouraging education, employment and law and order.
The opposition leader made a short address to a small audience before flagging his later commitment.
"There's something happening in western Sydney tonight," Mr Abbott quipped, before dashing off for a last-minute swat before the people's forum with Mr Rudd at Rooty Hill RSL.
