General News
14 June, 2024
Jochinke leads NFF into battle with Albo
Wimmera farmer David Jochinke has told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that farmers have lost all trust in the federal government over its handling of the live sheep exports issue.
National Farmers Federation president Mr Jochinke, of Murra Warra, has urged the PM to listen over a "rabble of niche interests" which he said seemed to be dictating decisions.
In an open letter to Mr Albanese, Mr Jochinke said an "appalling decision" to ban live sheep exports from 2028 was yet another example of the government’s refusal to support farmers.
"Decision by decision, your government is pushing farmers away and eroding their trust," he said.
"Even when facts and science are on our side. Frankly they’ve had enough.
"By wiping billions from the value of our industry, you don’t just reduce the economy but sentence voters to a more expensive weekly shop."
This is the first time in almost four decades that farmers from across the country have declared lack of confidence in the government.
An unprecedented walk-out by farmers during a budget address by Agriculture Minister Murray Watt was later followed by a vote of no confidence.
Mr Jochinke said farmers usually acted in a manner which reflected the business people they were.
He said Mr Watt refused to give reasonable answers on issues about the livelihood of farmers and shearers, and used a limited RSPCA survey as fact. He also suggested that decisions made had support from Australians.
"That isn’t leadership," Mr Jochinke said. "Leadership is having tough conversations with voters and when facts change – as in the live-sheep trade – policies are changed to reflect this.
"We've also been steamrolled on water buy-backs by Minister Tanya Plibersek.
"We’ve sat with her and her bureaucrats advising the impacts and pleading to save farms and communities – but ignored in favour of deals with the Greens."
The NFF also said a dumped Pacific labour scheme had abolished "one of the few workable labour schemes for farmers".
"And you’ve been similarly unyielding on a planned superannuation tax, not realising farmers would be significantly over-represented among those affected," Mr Jochinke said.
"We both have a job to do," he told Mr Albanese. "The NFF’s role is to represent farmers and producers, and if we don’t do this we're failing our members who are passionate about their farms, businesses and communities."
He said the NFF remained committed to working with the government on issues impacting farmers, such as solutions to climate change and sustainability challenges.
Read More: Rainbow