Michael McCormack silent over National Party statesman Peter Nixon’s dairy levy call

In a rare interview last month, Nationals elder statesman Peter Nixon endorsed veteran businessman John Dahlsen’s plan for a 40c levy on fresh milk. But party leaders remain silent.

Former agriculture minister Peter Nixon with then prime minister Malcolm Fraser in Adelaide in May 1977.

THE National Party has turned its back on one of its living legends’ call for a fresh milk levy.

In a rare interview last month, Nationals elder statesman Peter Nixon endorsed veteran businessman John Dahlsen’s plan for a 40c levy on fresh milk.

The former federal agriculture minister said one in four Victorian dairy farmers had left the sector since 2016, prompting the need for appreciable action.

“John Dahlsen’s plan (fresh milk levy) is well considered and necessary for the long-term viability of our dairy industry,” Mr Nixon told The Weekly Times.

“When a quarter of all Victorian dairy farmers leave the industry in only four of five years, clearly there are deep problems that one or two good seasons will not paper over.”

National Party elder statesman Peter Nixon.

The Weekly Times contacted all 21 National Party MPs and senators for their reaction to Mr Nixon’s call.

Most, including Queensland senator Susan McDonald — who headed a recent senate probe into the dairy sector — failed to respond.

Rebel National Party figures such as New England MP Barnaby Joyce and George Christensen were also unusually quiet on the subject.

“While George is always supportive of all ag sectors, we don’t have too much connection regarding dairies,” a spokeswoman for Mr Christensen said.

National Party leader Michael McCormack will address the Rural Press Club of Victoria today, although it remains to be seen whether he covers reform of the dairy sector in his speech.

Victorian Labor senator Raff Ciccone said “the silence was deafening” from National Party MPs and senators over the state of the Australian dairy sector.

“We’ve had eight years of a Coalition Government in Canberra and in that time, a lot has been said but there’s been little meaningful action to support dairy farmers,” he said.

Dairy Connect president Graham Forbes said the current 10c levy for supermarkets had provided a boost to farmers at a time when many were leaving the dairy sector.

“There are deep, systemic issues within the dairy sector and government needs to take those issues seriously,” he said.

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