Labor Commits to Establishing Full-time NSW Dairy Commissioner

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."

"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.   

“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

The Commissioner would work with dairy farmers to review:

• 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 

State Labor Doesn't Support Ban on New Upper Hunter Coal Mines Despite Poll Showing Voter Support

BY ISABEL EVERETT

State Labor says it doesn't support a ban on new coal mines in the Upper Hunter, despite a recent poll showing most voters in the area are supportive of the idea. 

An Australia Institute poll of 668 people in the electorate found 57.4 per cent support a moratorium on new coal mine approvals and a remediation plan for existing mines in the Hunter Valley, against 35.1 percent opposing the measures.

Research from the institute also recently found proposals for new coal projects in the Upper Hunter have a combined output of 98 million tonnes of coal per year, equivalent to ten new Adani-sized mines. 

Opposition Leader Jodi McKay said the party doesn't support the ban, while announcing the party's candidate for the up-coming Upper Hunter by-election on Tuesday, former coal miner Jeff Drayton.

"We do not support a moratorium on coal mines, let's get that out of the way," she said. 

Mr Drayton dismissed the poll.

"I must be talking to a different 600 people," he said. 

The call for a moratorium was made by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, which resulted in him being dumped as the NSW government's new climate economy chief.

Ms McKay said despite not supporting the idea, the party remained committed to tackling climate change and environmental issues.

"We need to be pursuing renewable energy, we all know that, but we also need to make sure that we're protecting jobs in the coal industry."

"What frustrates me... is that if you're in this corner, supposedly you can't accept that corner," she said.