Who killed the dairy industry?

SHOOTERS, Fishers and Farmers (SFF) Party Chair and MLC, Mark Banasiak, has accused the Nationals of siding with the Animal Justice Party to amend and remove paragraphs in the final report on the dairy industry, including the main recommendation to appoint an NSW Commissioner for Dairy.

Sue Gilroy, SFF candidate said the Upper Hunter dairy industry has been killed under the Coalition’s watch.

“We had thousands of dairy farms in the past and we are down to 92,” Ms Gilroy said.

“We are going backward because the Nationals no longer stand for farmers or the agriculture industry. Instead, we see them voting with the Greens and AJP to cover up the mismanagement of the dairy industry,” she said.

According to the SFF Party, the inquiry concluded that the appointment of a Dairy Commissioner was not in line with previous committee recommendations and the role should be separate from that of the NSW Government to ensure absolute independence and support is provided to the New South Wales dairy industry.

“These amendments are further proof of the Nationals betrayal of our dairy farmers,” Mr Banasiak said.

“Removing these very important paragraphs in this report subsequently covers up the complete lack of action by this Government resulting in the decimation of our dairy industry,” he said.

“The role of the NSW Fresh Milk and Dairy Advocate needs to go, and an NSW Commissioner for Dairy should be installed to ensure independence in this position and the ability to influence legislative change,” said Mr Banasiak.

For more information on where candidates stand: Voting 101: Upper Hunter by-election.