Farmers from across the country made their way to Canberra to send a clear message to the Federal Government and make their voices heard.
After several decisions made by the government impacting negatively on Australian farmers, their businesses and their way of life, more than 3000 took action with a Farmers Rally on the morning of Tuesday, 10 September.
South Australian cattle farmer Gillian Fennell said the purpose of the rally was to send a message to parliament that farmers want a seat at the table when it comes to decisions and policies being made.
“We do cop a bit of flack for being whinging farmers, but this has been a thumping that’s been building for many years,” Ms Fennell said.
“Decisions are being made based on advice from of activist groups and those sorts of things and they’re ignoring the people who have to live with the decisions that are being made in Canberra.”
Some of the changes that farmers are seeking include scrapping the diesel fuel rebate, scrapping new taxes for biosecurity and superannuation, protecting the Great Artesian Basin, scrapping water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin, scrapping reckless renewables, as well as overturning the recent decision to ban live sheep exports by sea.
This is the first time in over 40 years that farmers marched on parliament for agriculture’s future, yet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Agriculture Minister Julie Collins were not in attendance at the rally.
Maranoa MP David Littleproud, the Nationals leader and Shadow Agriculture Minister, said the Federal Government’s acts of ignorance go to show that they are not interested in listening to those who produce the nation’s food and fibre.
“These requests are common sense solutions and without changes, Labor will make farming unviable,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Labor Government continues to decimate the industry and the anger and frustration being felt by farmers is sadly understandable.
“All our farmers want is a fair go and to continue feeding the country.”
AgForce general president elect Shane McCarthy told the rally the fight to protect the Great Artesian Basin is far from over and the Federal Government needs to include farmers when making decisions concerning renewable energy.
“We need to protect the greatest freshwater resource in Australia, the lifeblood of inland Australia and protect those food producing communities, towns and families,” Mr McCarthy said.
“We need the government to stand with us not beside us with international mining giants when it come to protecting the GAB.
“By ensuring that farmers have a say in the planning and productivity of this nation, we’ll ensure food security and affordability for the future.”
The new Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins sent her apologies for not attending the rally.
Mr Albanese told the House of Representatives he had met with farmers during the day and listened to their concerns, but did not attend the rally.
He defended the Federal Government’s approach on live sheep exports.
“Over the decade the Liberals and Nationals were in government, live sheep exports by sea decreased by over $1.5 million – that is just a fact of what occurred,’ he said.
“We are giving certainty to sheep producers and supply chain by legislating the phase-out and investing $107 million to support an orderly and well-planned transition away from what is an already declining trade.“
