Perin Davey (NSW, National Party, Shadow Minister for Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Food prices have increased by 12 per cent under Labor and could rise even further as farmers and food processors face increased costs. According to farm performance reports from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, ABARES, dairy farmers' costs have increased 7.4 per cent, and sheep and beef farmers' costs have risen by 14.7 per cent. SPC are in the news today with increases for processing. Why is Labor making it harder and more expensive for farmers to supply the fresh food Australian families need? Why won't Mr Albanese finally admit that Aussie farmers are not better off under Labor?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We do support Australian farmers, and we do understand the difficult environment in which they operate. You will recall, Senator, that one of the things that we have worked on since we came to government is ensuring access for our farmers to export markets, including China, because we understand how important that is not only for the broader Australian economy but for the financial position of farmers, wine growers and other parts of the agricultural sector. So I would say to you that we do understand the importance of this sector. We have worked very hard to ensure that there are more trade opportunities. I think you would understand that enabling export opportunities is a very important part of ensuring the sustainability and viability of our agricultural sector. We are a trading nation.

The senator also spoke about farmers supplying to the domestic market. Of course, that's critical for the country. One of the areas that are challenging for many is energy costs. We're very conscious of what we inherited—the situation that occurred where we saw so much energy exiting the system as a consequence of policy paralysis by your government—and what we have had to do since we came to government. Senator, you are genuine in your concern for the agricultural sector. I do not understand why you would be supporting a nuclear policy, which will guarantee higher prices for that sector.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Davey, you started whatever it was you were saying before I'd even called you. Wait until you're called.

Perin Davey (NSW, National Party, Shadow Minister for Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Apologies.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Please ask a first supplementary.

Perin Davey (NSW, National Party, Shadow Minister for Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, farmers are directly impacted by Labor's cost-of-living crisis, including by higher electricity prices, which are up by 32 per cent; higher insurance and finance costs; and Labor's truckie tax, which is increasing the cost of getting the produce to market. Why does Labor continue to pursue policies that squeeze out farmers?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think, Senator, there's a lot of politics in your question, which is unsurprising. I don't think it's—

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I said it was unsurprising; I did say that. I know that Senator McKenzie is—there's one track there. Senator, your imputation as to our motives and—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie, order!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The imputations you make are incorrect. We do understand that our farmers, along with Australian households, have been struggling with the cost of living, particularly energy costs. This is why we put in place, for example, the energy rebates, which regrettably you voted against, both for households and for small business, and we are also working to ensure that energy prices are more stable and energy is more reliable. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Davey, second supplementary?

Perin Davey (NSW, National Party, Shadow Minister for Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The chair of the Australian Food and Agriculture Taskforce, Mark van Dyck, has said, '44 per cent of farmers believed Australia was losing its competitive edge on the global stage.' When will Mr Albanese apologise to our farmers for making it harder to feed and clothe Australians and for breaking his promise that they would be better off under Labor?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A strong and sustainable agricultural sector requires, in part, access to external markets. You know that. If you look at the history of Australian agriculture—

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Murray, you didn't fix anything!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator McKenzie, I've sat the minister down, yet you continue this debate across the chamber. If you can't sit in silence, leave the chamber or I'll have to name you as per the standing orders. I should not have to keep repeating myself and calling your name.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can understand why Senator McKenzie is upset at not getting this question, but it is not your question; it is your colleague's. Senator, what I would say to you is that a strong and sustainable agricultural sector in this country—

Honourable senators interjecting—

I'll try for the fourth time. A strong and sustainable agricultural sector in this country requires not only our domestic market but access to global markets. If you look at the history of Australian agriculture, you and I both know that access to overseas markets has been critical in terms of the growth of our agricultural sector, the financial position of our farmers and the economic opportunities in regional Australia. (Time expired)