David Jochinke, President, National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), Media Release, 31 May 2024
The Prime Minister, Ag Minister and all parliamentarians need to take a good look at what’s unfolding in Perth this morning. This is a grassroots farmer demonstration of historic proportions.
Frustration at this Government’s rotten decisions has started to boil over. This latest call on live sheep exports has lit a fire under the industry and brought people together like you wouldn’t believe.
The Government has sold out regular people in WA for a handful of east coast votes.
This ban will hurt animals, it will hurt Australia’s interests in the Middle East, and it’ll hurt the WA economy. It’ll end the tremendous amount of good this trade does, both here and overseas.
The Government knows this is bad policy. But they’ve staked their political future on the hope that fair minded Australians won’t realise what they’ve done.
Today’s convoy in Perth shows they’ve underestimated our rural communities. I think they’ve also underestimated voters’ intelligence, and their support for farmers.
I think people in WA and across Australia will start to wake up to the grubby political deal that’s been done here.
I want to thank the organisers of today’s rally for their leadership. To those convoying today: farmers across Australia are with you. Your willingness to stand up and defend our sector is bloody legendary, and this is just the start.
