Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

The unrealised capital gains issue—call it a Labor threat—still hangs like the sword of Damocles over Australian farmers. Whilst abroad last week I was interested to read an editorial in the Daily Mail for 1 November which read:

Many will have no option but to sell up to pay the bill, destroying businesses held by families for generations and destabilising food security.

The comment piece was talking about new taxes being placed on British farmers, but it continued:

But why would Labour be bothered? They calculate their voter base is predominantly urban, so it does little political harm. And if it means green fields can be sold off for solar farms or new housing, all the better.

Farmers work backbreakingly hard to keep society fed. Their hours are long. And because of their careful stewardship, our countryside remains a precious asset.

Any fair-minded government would shower them with rewards, not hit them a punishing and pernicious new tax.

Indeed, I say, but you could replace Labour Britain with Labor Australia, because the facts remain the same. Why is it the Left are always punishing our farmers with new taxes? Why is it the Left don't realise or care or understand or know where their food and fibre comes from? It is our farmers who feed our people. It is the farmers who help our exports. It is our farmers who help this country so much and continually get whacked by Labor governments wherever they are.

See this speech in context