Julie Collins (Franklin, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Hansard source

I have been out to Launceston on a sheep farm, actually, talking to them.

I thought you said 'Launceston'. I have been talking to farmers right across the country, from Cairns all the way down to the south of my electorate, for just over a month, since I've had the agriculture portfolio. I am very keen to engage with the sector. I want to make sure that our farmers get the very best representation, as they did under former Minister Murray Watt, and I want to continue that important and vital work.

The other thing that I want to ensure is that farmers' voices are heard in this place, and that those opposite don't get away with telling furphies about what's going on for our region and for our farmers. We heard a lot of stuff from the Leader of the Nationals over here that simply isn't true. Interestingly, at the rally today, I was really surprised to see the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party standing up behind their leader, Peter Dutton, particularly given she was in here moving private members' bills to do the exact same thing that she is now saying she doesn't support. I mean, seriously! We had the Leader of the Nationals out there also. Surprisingly, he came in here and talked about the Murray-Darling Basin—I understand that he actually had farmers attack him and ridicule him for what they did in government when it comes to water and the Murray-Darling Basin. They're not very happy with him, so perhaps he should be honest with farmers about what's going on.

Our government is providing record investments when it comes to resources and when it comes to agriculture. We want to make sure that both of these industries get the support they need in terms of the Road to Net Zero. It's important that we support them, because we know that their critical support and the things that they will be required to do as we go down the Road to Net Zero will mean that they are continuing to receive a high yield for our great products around the world. If we don't do that, they're not going to continue to get the market access that they deserve. We'll continue supporting them and Western Australians.

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