Ag leaders debate: Burgoyne and Monaghan say narrative must shift on crucial industry
The work of Territory farmers must once again be celebrated if the industry is to be protected from ‘radical’ environmental lobbyists, political leaders say.
Northern Territory
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The work of Territory farmers must once again be celebrated if the industry is to be protected from ‘radical’ environmental lobbyists, political leaders say.
Agriculture Minister Mark Monaghan and his opposition counterpart Josh Burgoyne met at the NT News Ag Leaders Debate in Katherine on Monday.
Both sides were largely in agreement throughout the debate, each repeatedly raising concerns about green groups squashing agricultural development in the Northern Territory.
“When I grew up, our view of agriculture and the sector was fantastic, everybody loved it,” Mr Monaghan said.
“Unfortunately, I would say in the last 15 years, that’s changed – and it’s changed, I think, because some radicalisation is happening globally.
“It’s a critical issue at the moment, the impact some of those well-funded global green groups are having on the industry. Every industry that’s about growing an economy seems to be copping it.”
Mr Burgoyne said “we need to back in our farmers” against negative rhetoric.
“We need to be able to tell the story of agriculture in such a way that cuts down the innuendo that somehow growing food and fibre for the nation is a bad thing,” he said.
“No one likes to see an animal die – but the reality is we’re all about to eat lunch here, I can tell you right now something probably died to provide that sustenance for us.”
Improving roads and infrastructure was also a key issue raised, Mr Burgoyne arguing Labor prioritised too many projects above the Berrimah line.
“There are sections of the Stuart Highway that are dirt,” he said.
“When we’re talking about the Plenty (region), people are taking thousands of kilometres’ detour to get to the market.”
He said the CLP would “rip and repair” roads out bush to make them more flood resilient, instead of constant regrading.
Mr Monaghan said Labor was prioritising the most important and economically viable projects, and continuing to harass the federal government which funds 80 per cent of the NT’s roads investment.
“I don’t want to talk about the CLP’s raising of the Stuart Highway all the way to South Australia – that’s just not what we will be doing,” he said.
“What we will be doing will be ensuring that the regional and remote parts of this country are opened up for investment.”
Some of the crowd, made up of dozens of industry leaders and stakeholders, asked what would be done to ensure the federal ban on live sheep exports was not extended to cattle.
“We are 150 per cent behind live export of cattle in the Territory, so if you want to fight there’ll be a fight on that, but (federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt) reassured me there is no intention to take on cattle in that space,” he said.
He said the Territory government was also working to improve biosecurity measures and diversify trade links to better protect local exporters from market shocks.
On other issues, Mr Monaghan was less aligned with his federal colleagues, saying it was imperative the Australian government did not get its way on land clearing.
“Last week I took up with (federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt) that we have only cleared 0.25 per cent of (the NT) and we need to clear a damn sight more if we’re going to grow the economy.”
Time to get in the business of pastoralism: NTCA
The NT Cattlemen’s Association said it was positive to see support for the industry from both sides of the political aisle, but it was time for agriculture to become a top priority in the Territory.
“What we really want to see is government getting in the business of pastoralism,” chief executive Will Evans said.
“They’ve shown such a strong regard for gas and for mining, but we want to see them really including us in that family and supporting us just as strongly as they support the resources sector.”
He said the NTCA had been “very disappointed” by the government’s “blindsiding” decision to declare Buffel grass a weed, but ultimately found there was little policy difference between the major parties.
“We’d like to see that relationship with the government repaired and we want to work constructively with whoever wins next month,” Mr Evans said.
“What was really good about the debate was there’s obviously strong bipartisan support for agricultural development in the Territory.
“I didn’t think there was a huge amount of policy difference between the two, which is good for the long term confidence in the industry, knowing that no matter what the outcome of the election is, really, the pathway that we’re on as the pathway we’re likely to continue on for some time.”
Originally published as Ag leaders debate: Burgoyne and Monaghan say narrative must shift on crucial industry
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