06-05-2025
Farmers asses what majority Labor government will mean for them
Labor's resounding federal election win will likely end the live export of sheep by sea, a move strongly resisted by the agriculture sector.
And while agriculture was not front and centre of the election campaign, the Albanese government said a national food security plan, funding for farm safety and a strong record on trade would form a large part of its commitment to farmers.
Protests, walkouts and fights
Australia's peak farming body, National Farmers' Federation, has been at war with the Labor government over the
National Farmers' Federation president David Jochinke said the agriculture sector, which was worth about $88 billion, still had major concerns about the returned government's policies.
David Jochinke says farmers need to hold firm on agriculture policy.
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Supplied: VFF
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"There are going to be some absolute headwinds when we talk water, industrial relations, trade with regards to sheep live export and also productivity," he said.
"We have to make sure we hold firm on agriculture policy and we are not going to back away from hard lines that we put in the sand around what we can and can't accept.
"
Ultimately there will be some policies we are not satisfied with and we will take appropriate action.
"
Keep the Sheep held rallies and truck protests in key seats ahead of the election.
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ABC News: Andrew O'Connor
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Live export will end
Labor's election victory confirmed the end of the live sheep by sea trade, which was legislated in the last parliament with the phase out to occur in 2028.
A $140 million compensation package to industry from the federal government was included in the process.
Holly Ludeman has been coordinating the Keep the Sheep campaign.
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ABC News: Ruby Littler
)
The win was a disappointment to the Keep the Sheep campaign — a Western Australia lobby group dedicated to overturning the decision which held rallies, truck protests, and tried to influence the election in key WA seats.
Campaign coordinator Holly Ludeman said she spent the day inspecting animals and loading sheep on a live export vessel in Fremantle.
She said she hoped to continue the fight.
"We need to take some time to regroup," she said.
"
There is another election in a few years. This is a viable industry and that's what I'm going to keep fighting for.
"
Strong record on trade
Ms Collins said her government's record on reopening access to key exports markets in China was a major success for agriculture.
"We've got the most diversified agricultural trade now that we've ever had, 169 different markets now," she said.
Julie Collins says the government has farmers' backs when it comes to trade.
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ABC News: Jacqueline Lynch
)
A trade war with China which started in 2020 had locked out Australian wine, barley, hay, lobster and beef exports.
But since the Albanese government came to power, Chinese tariffs on all the goods have been dropped.
Trade was restored and increased with an announcement last week of
"I think Australian farmers know that we've got their back when it comes to this,"
Ms Collins said.
"We've been slowly restoring relationships right across the globe and we've been working incredibly hard to make sure that we get access to those markets that are so critical to producers."
What else?
During the election, Labor committed to spending $3.5 million on new national food security strategy Feeding Australia.
Mr Jochinke supported the strategy.
"Hopefully it shows us strengths and weaknesses throughout the supply chain including inputs on farm, production on farm and supply chain for consumers, and that will form the basis of trying to form better policy," he said.
Labor also promised increased funding to key agriculture events such as Beef Australia at Rockhampton and Lambex — a sheep event to be hosted in Adelaide in 2026.
Photo shows
A young woman smiling and wearing a winning ribbon as she holds onto stud cattle.
Gold, sheep, now beef cattle — Rockhampton has a varied history. But it's an event held every three years that has secured Rockhampton its spot as the beef capital of Australia.
Labor said its planned investment in the sector would identify opportunities to improve supply chain resilience with a goal of minimising price volatility and costs at the check-out.
Labor also pledged to spend $2.5 million to continue key farm safety programs after farm deaths
The big remaining question for farmers was who would represent them and make major policy decisions inside the re-elected Albanese government.
Ms Collins came into the job in July 2024.
While it was not known if she would retain the role, Ms Collins said she wanted to stay.
"It's a privilege, I've loved it, and I would love to continue doing it," she said.
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