Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Sterle, I am very glad you asked, because I think the news is being taken extremely well in regional Australia. You don't have to take my word for it. Let me read to you, Senator Sterle, the latest editorial from the bible of the bush, The Land newspaper. This headline says it all—'Big barley win establishes government agricultural trade chops'. The article says: 'The Chinese decision to drop its tariffs is a huge boost to the government and a blow to the opposition. The government's ability to unlock a billion dollar buyer of Australian barley is a major coup. The coalition government was unable to broker an end to the crippling sanctions because of a series of perceived snubs towards China, not least from former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.' The editorial in the Land goes on to say: 'The ALP is not traditionally regarded as the farmers' friend, but the agriculture sector has reported they have found agriculture minister Murray Watt genuinely engaged, together with trade minister Don Farrell, who has won respect for standing firm on a potential trade agreement with the EU. The government has put runs on the board with its agricultural constituents.' (Time expired)