Leader of The Nationals – Media Release – Labor getting bad agriculture advice
The Hon David Littleproud MP
Leader of The Nationals
27 September 2022
The Nationals leader David Littleproud says today's revelations that a senior agriculture policy advisor for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a former GetUp campaigner would send a shiver down the spine of regional farmers across Australia.
Mr Littleproud says the fact the senior agriculture adviser previously called mainstream farming "inherently cruel" is deeply concerning and shows Mr Albanese is prioritising activists over farmers.
"Today's claim proves Mr Albanese is getting bad advice when it comes to our crucial agriculture industry," Mr Littleproud said.
"It is obvious Mr Albanese and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt do not believe in agriculture production systems or its success. They should be fighting for our farming industry, not employing people who seek to destroy it."
Mr Littleproud added the bad agriculture advice was especially worrying for the live sheep export trade.
"Agriculture Minister Senator Watt previously said the science showed the live sheep export trade should be banned.
"It's now beholden on the Prime Minister to make public the science the Agriculture Minister said was behind their decision to ban live sheep, because the industry deserves to see it."
The live sheep export trade is worth $92 million a year. Mr Littleproud said the industry was far from declining but needed support and practical solutions to ensure its future success.
"Around 3000 livelihoods are at risk by this government's decision to ban the live sheep export trade in WA. The Nationals are calling for common sense.
"This isn't just about our export trade but also food security and if Labor ban live sheep, cattle is next.
"The previous Coalition government increased regulations for sheep exporters to ensure they were the absolute best in the world. Any plan to further harm the trade would disrupt global food security as well as Australian jobs."
