NATIONALS leader David Littleproud has claimed Gippsland farmers are bearing the brunt of federal government policies that are increasing costs, reducing productivity and undermining the financial viability of agriculture.
Mr Littleproud and the federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester conducted a two-day tour across the region and received direct feedback from farmers and industry representative groups.
“Agriculture forms the backbone of Gippsland, a region renowned for high-quality agricultural products, but the Labor-Greens vendetta against the region is jeopardising the livelihoods of farming families as they grapple with workforce challenges, food and water security, supermarket behaviour, excessive green tape and anti-agribusiness policies,” Mr Littleproud said.
“We need common sense in Canberra and a respect for the critical role our farmers play in feeding the nation and exporting to the world.”
Mr Chester claimed the region’s agriculture sector was under threat as the government continued to enforce policies that carry enormous consequences.
“Gippsland is an agriculture powerhouse, with a $7 billion net worth, employing more than a third of the region’s workforce, and proudly producing 22 per cent of the nation’s dairy, 25 per cent of the beef, wool, and prime lamb in Victoria, and 27 per cent of Victoria’s vegetables,” he said.
“But farmers’ voices are increasingly being drowned out by activists who want to shut down Australian farms, and our farmers know they aren’t getting a fair go from the government.”
Mr Littleproud said the current government had ended the Agriculture Visa, despite the nation’s peak food industry bodies warning agriculture required an additional 172,000 workers, while changes to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme made it unworkable for farmers, compounding widespread workforce shortages.
The Nationals leader also pointed to new fresh food tax being imposed on farmers to pay for the biosecurity risks of their international competitors, the government cutting regional infrastructure and water, banning the live sheep export industry, introducing a new ute tax and enforcing water buybacks.
Mr Littleproud said the government policies were hurting farming communities in Gippsland and across the country and were being driven by people who didn’t understand the sector.
“Our discussions with local farmers were all about listening to their concerns and helping us to shape policies which value and respect their contribution to the nation,” he said.
“The anger and frustration of farmers is understandable and led to the recent rally in Canberra. All our farmers want is a fair go, and a coalition government will always stand up for the agricultural sector.”
Mr Littleproud said the Nationals were demanding these policies be scrapped or amended.
In a statement to the Gippsland Times, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said Mr Littleproud wasn’t being honest with farmers and had nothing positive to offer.
“Our government is delivering, supporting the agriculture sector to reach its ambitious goal of becoming a $100 billion industry by 2030,” she said.
“We have been working hard and have made significant gains for agriculture in the areas of workforce, trade and biosecurity. Trade is the most diversified it’s ever been, we’ve invested over $1 billion to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system, and we have made strides through our tripartite workforce working group.
“As a representative of so many incredible farmers in my own electorate, I am committed to engaging and listening to and representing Australia’s farmers in the Albanese Labor government.
“I will continue talking to farmers and producers across the country. Australia produces a huge amount of food and fibre. We’re world-renowned for it, and I want to make sure we continue to do that and we continue to grow our exports.”
