Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Kennedy for his question. I think it is important to acknowledge that the member for Kennedy has been absolutely consistent in his objection to dairy deregulation ever since it was first introduced by a National Party minister at the time and, in fairness, introduced with the support of both sides of parliament at the time.

It should be made clear, and I do have some information here from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, that lower milk prices should not be at the cost of Australian dairy farmers. I am pleased that Coles have publicly confirmed that they are honouring their assurances that these price reductions would not drive down farm gate prices for dairy farmers.

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