Live exports: NFF issues vote of no confidence in Albanese Government

Australia’s peak farming leaders have taken the unprecedented step of issuing a vote of no confidence in the federal government, over its live sheep export ban.

Australia’s peak farming leaders have taken the unprecedented step of issuing a vote of no confidence in the federal government, over its live sheep export ban.

Members of the National Farmers’ Federation voted in favour of the no confidence motion this morning, saying farmers were being “treated with contempt as the government pursued its single-minded policy agenda”.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt has defended the government’s track record in response, pointing to its funding support for farmers and the NFF directly – which he had twice agreed to meet with this week.

It comes after 16 farming heads, led by NFF president David Jochinke, staged a walk out in the middle of federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt’s post-budget speech on Wednesday, to protest the government’s shuttering of the $77 million live sheep export trade.

The lobby group carried three motions today stating that it:

No longer has confidence in the Albanese Government to act in the interests of Australian agriculture;

Believes the live export decision was made without considering the scientific and industry evidence, detrimenting all ag sectors; and

Rejects the $107 million assistance package as a “token gesture”, and demanding a continuation of the trade.

It is understood most NFF members attended the meeting, but it is unknown how many voted for the motion.

Mr Jochinke said there was a “clear disconnect” between the government’s actions and what farmers needed to remain profitable and productive.

“The government says it’s listening but today the agriculture sector reiterated its view – that farmers do not feel like they are being recognised,” he said in a statement.

“The government is putting in policy that might line up with what they think inner city voters want but it ignores rural and regional people.

“We say to government: Stop with the poor policy and red tape. Stop taking away our markets, our water, our workers, our land.

“We don’t want this fight. Walk with us to better understand what we do, listen to us and listen genuinely.”

Mr Watt said the government had a “strong track record” of working with farmers, including reopening trade with China and increasing market access, rebuilding ag workforces and helping farmers adapt to climate change.

“We’ve delivered record biosecurity funding from taxpayers and importers to protect farmers, something that was sought by the NFF after years of biosecurity cuts by the National Party,” he said.

“We have also provided more than $6.3 million to the NFF in 2022-23 to deliver various programs.

“Unlike David Littleproud, who called the NFF ‘ignorant’ and ‘sideline critics’ when he was Minister, I maintain an open and honest dialogue with the leadership of the NFF.

“In fact, twice this week I’ve agreed to meet with the NFF President and CEO, so they could put forward projects they want to collaborate with us.”

NFF MEMBERS WALKOUT

Earlier this week, Crop Life’s annual federal budget breakfast turned sour as 16 people interrupted Murray Watt’s address to a packed room when his speech turned to the shuttering of $77 million trade.

New South Wales Farmers President Xavier Martin shouted at the minister his decision to ban

live sheep exports was “absolutely shameful” as he left the room.

The walkout came amid allegations of a “backroom deal” between Labor and the Animal Justice Party, with the latter claiming it secured the early phase out of the live sheep industry in return for preferencing Labor’s candidate Jodie Belyea in the Dunkley by-election in March.

The seat was narrowly won by Ms Belyea, despite a 6.7 per cent swing to the Liberal Party.

Mr Watt has denied the existence of a deal.

“I have never done any deals with the Animal Justice Party and this (the live export phase-out) was a commitment we first made five years before the Dunkley by-election,” he said.

“The independent panel recommended a 2028 phase-out date and we were happy to take on board their recommendation.”

Mr Watt called the National Farmers’ Federation-led walkout a “stunt”, and said hundreds of agricultural leaders stayed to hear about the federal government’s package for their sector.

“I met with the CEO and president of the NFF yesterday where they wanted to talk about projects we could work on together going forward, so I’m not too concerned about their stunts,” Mr Watt said.

An unprecedented move today. “We turned our back to the Minister just like he turned his back on farmers,” @farmer_djhttps://t.co/DeODnojKef

— National Farmers' Federation (@NationalFarmers) May 15, 2024

Cattle Australia chief executive Chris Park said Australian agriculture was fed up with being used as political currency to buy fringe votes.

“This government decision serves as a warning to not just the cattle industry but the entire farm sector,” Dr Parker said.

“For too long in this country, agriculture has been used as a bargaining chip to appease the ideological whims of extreme groups that have little to no relevance to the sensible Australians who understand our industry is what places healthy and nutritious food on our plates and supports rural and regional communities and the wider economy.

“We are sick and tired of being taken for granted by governments who seem to have very little understanding of food production systems and who blatantly choose to ignore credible scientific and economic data to pander to fringe groups and cut deals that insult not just those involved in agriculture but all Australians who believe their vote should be respected,” Dr Parker said.

On Saturday, the Animal Justice Party said it “delivered the knockout blow by demanding the end of the live sheep export trade as a requirement for our preferences at the Dunkley By-election in March”.

“Ongoing conversations behind-the-scenes between AJP and Labor leadership has helped to finetune government policy,” the AJP’s website said, adding it was “deep in preference negotiations” with major parties for the upcoming federal election.