Dairy rally

Tasmanian dairy farmers are not alone in their fight for a fair milk price.

The turnout at today’s rally in Devonport was a testament to Tasmania’s strong community spirit and sense of a fair go.

What is happening to our dairy farmers at the hands of milk processors is a disgrace.

It was a shame National Foods avoided Devonport today, because there are so many questions for it that remain unanswered.

If there is such a massive milk oversupply, as National Foods claims, why has it been encouraging Tasmanian farmers to expand?

Why hasn’t the retail price of milk fallen?

And how can a company such as National Foods – whose parent company claims a commitment to corporate social responsibility – justify paying farmers less for their milk than it costs to produce it, and so much less than what it pays farmers for the same product interstate?

I welcome the Senate inquiry into milk pricing and I look forward to it making strong recommendations.

With more community pressure, and a unified political response, I believe we can bring sufficient pressure to bear on National Foods, and also Fonterra, and try to get a better deal for our farmers.

I recently met with a number of dairy farmers on their properties in the North West. The situation they are in is dire and this is having serious flow on effects for the broader community.

I also welcome a long-awaited commitment today from the government to provide the practical support farmers so desperately need.

I congratulate Richard Bovill, Kem Perkins, the TFGA and everyone involved in today’s rally and in backing our dairy farmers. And I look forward to National Foods explaining itself when it appears before the Senate committee in Canberra tomorrow.
Will Hodgman MP Leader of the State Opposition