Liberals meet with dairy representatives in Canberra

The plight of Tasmania’s dairy farmers is being heard in Canberra this week with both farmer and milk processing sector representatives meeting with Tasmanian Liberal Senators.

Tasmanian Liberal Senator and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Richard Colbeck said it was an important opportunity to further understand this critical issue.

“Senator Abetz and I are meeting with farmers’ advocate Richard Bovill and dairy farmer Kem Perkins here in Canberra as the State’s dairy farmers continue their campaign against unfair and unsustainable milk prices,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Tasmanian dairy farmers are reeling from the disastrously low milk prices. Swamping rains in recent weeks have added to the stress in different dairy regions.

“We have secured a special hearing of the Food Production Inquiry in Devonport on October 6 where dairy groups will be able to have their views heard. In the meantime, Mr Bovill and Mr Perkins will be campaigning in Canberra this week.

“Senator Abetz and I will also meet with National Foods and we will be asking about the claims of an oversupply of milk in Tasmania, and also about why Tasmanian farmers are being offered 20.8 cents while the New South Wales farmers are getting 48 cents.

“The Tasmanian dairy industry is reeling and the State and Federal Governments must do what they can to bring about a speedy resolution to the crisis at hand.

“These farmers need support right now and I have called on the Federal and State Governments to divert any spare resources previously allocated to drought assistance to help the Tasmanian dairy farmers, their families and their workers who are in financial dire straits right now.

“Tasmania’s dairy industry will also be able to contribute to another inquiry which was set up last week by the Senate’s Economics Reference Committee to specifically examine the issues facing the Australian dairy industry.

“This inquiry will look at the ongoing price and market issues in the dairy sector and look to make recommendations to help farmers avoid exposure to unfair markets and unfair contracts,” Senator Colbeck said.
Senator Richard Colbeck