Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry coming into the House and explaining why, during Question Time today, he:

(1)

falsely claimed that Labor’s National Platform makes only one reference to the impact of drought;

(2)

falsely claimed that the single reference concerned the impact of drought on our cities;

(3)

failed to acknowledge the commitment contained in Chapter Five of Labor’s National Platform to “maintain and improve programs that support farmers through droughts and other natural disasters while also developing programs to help farmers better prepare for these events”; and

(4)

failed to acknowledge Labor’s Platform commitment to a comprehensive strategy for agriculture and fisheries that encompasses:

(a)

increasing agricultural productivity;

(b)

maximising agricultural employment;

(c)

investment in innovative agriculture;

(d)

access to markets;

(e)

workplace safety on farms;

(f)

women in agriculture;

(g)

farm assistance programs;

(h)

intergenerational transfer of farms;

(i)

science and best practice;

(j)

food safety and quality assurance;

(k)

agriculture and the natural environment; and

(l)

fisheries and aquaculture.

The minister is prepared to play politics with drought-stricken farm families, who are suffering enough.

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