BY ISABEL EVERETT
NSW Labor will establish a full-time Dairy and Fresh Food Commissioner if it wins the next State election.
Leader Jodi McKay and Upper Hunter by-election candidate Jeff Drayton made the announcement on a visit to a dairy farm in Barrington on Wednesday.They were joined by Dairy Connect’s President Graham Forbes and CEO Shaughn Morgan and local dairy
farmers.
Mr Drayton said Upper Hunter dairy farmers have been left to fend for themselves after the worst drought in the State’s history.
“The Upper Hunter pumps billions into the NSW economy and all our dairy farmers have gotten in return is a part-time bureaucrat."
Ms McKay said: “I grew up here in Gloucester and my dad worked in the dairy industry. I know the people and I know the area.”
“Labor’s NSW Dairy and Fresh Food Commissioner will become a full-time statutory appointment with legislated powers, independent of Government. That means they’ll advocate for dairy farmers. They’ll be frank and fearless in their recommendations to Government."
In the first year, the Commissioner would develop:
Mr Drayton said Upper Hunter dairy farmers have been left to fend for themselves after the worst drought in the State’s history.
“The Upper Hunter pumps billions into the NSW economy and all our dairy farmers have gotten in return is a part-time bureaucrat."
"The National Party
promised to appoint a full-time, independent NSW Dairy and Fresh Food
Commissioner but that’s not what they delivered."
He says a full time commissioner would provide a strong, independent voice for the industry.
He says a full time commissioner would provide a strong, independent voice for the industry.
“Industry and farmers need urgent guidance and support. They’re being short-changed
by the Nationals’ watered down, part-time NSW Fresh Milk and dairy Advocate.”
Ms McKay said: “I grew up here in Gloucester and my dad worked in the dairy industry. I know the people and I know the area.”
“Labor’s NSW Dairy and Fresh Food Commissioner will become a full-time statutory appointment with legislated powers, independent of Government. That means they’ll advocate for dairy farmers. They’ll be frank and fearless in their recommendations to Government."
In the first year, the Commissioner would develop:
- An effective mediation and arbitration process for NSW farmers, in consultation with local industry and the ACCC (in conjunction with the mandatory code for dairy)
- A truth in labelling policy for fresh food and dairy
- A model for a national standard to deliver consistency in testing, sampling and the calibration of equipment used in fresh milk production to ensure a fair farm price
- Best practice business models
- Contracts and plans for long-term sustainability
- Competition and succession planning.
Labor says they will also investigate ways to provide better access to the Farm Innovation
Fund and develop a long-term research and development strategy for the
industry.
Image: ABC
