The Labor-Greens vendetta against agriculture is jeopardising the livelihoods of farming communities and the future of their children, according to Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
It follows a rally of more than 2000 farmers from across Australia at Parliament House in Canberra this week as industry leaders pleaded with the Albanese Government to stop its anti-farming agenda.
“Our regions grow great food and fibre, and we also ‘grow’ great children,” Mr Chester said.
“The desire to pass on the traditions of farming runs strongly in many families, and they know when they aren’t getting a fair go from the government.
“Families are worried that their way of life and the future of their children in rural areas is under threat.”
“The rally at Parliament House was motivated by farming families across Australia bearing the brunt of this Labor-Greens vendetta against the agricultural sector.
“I support the National Farmers’ Federation in its efforts to advocate on behalf of rural families and to protect their livelihoods, and I was proud to stand alongside several of the Gippslanders who made the journey to Canberra to participate in the rally.
“Farmers’ voices are increasingly being drowned out by activists who want to shut down Australian farms, and they shouldn’t have to drive across the nation to rally.
“Most disappointingly, Prime Minster Anthony Albanese refused to attend the rally outside, ignoring farmers who travelled from Gippsland and across the country to plead with the Labor Government to stop its anti-farming agenda.”
Mr Chester said the Prime Minister had demonstrated complete contempt towards farmers and rural, regional and remote Australia.
“For the Prime Minister to ignore our farmers on the lawns of Parliament House shows that Labor doesn’t care about our agriculture industry,” Mr Chester said.
“Our Prime Minister isn’t interested in even listening to those who produce our nation’s food and fibre.
“Whether it’s banning live sheep exports, water buybacks, new taxes and red tape, or destroying productive agricultural land – these Albanese Government policies are hurting farming communities and are being driven by people who don’t understand or value our great producers.
“The Labor Government continues to decimate the industry, and the anger and frustration of farmers is understandable. All our farmers want is a fair go and to continue feeding the country.”
The rally follows a recent National Farmers’ Federation survey showing that confidence in the Federal Government has decreased, with less than 10% of farmers saying Canberra was listening to them or had a positive plan for their future.
“It has been more than 40 years since farmers from Gippsland and across the nation have had to march on Parliament House because as a Federal Government has failed them so badly,” Mr Chester said.
“But on Tuesday, their voices were heard in Canberra, and hopefully, the government has been given a wake-up call.
“All MPs should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our farmers, and I will continue to fight for farming and the future of regional, rural and remote Australia.”
