CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
As the National Party continues to distance themselves from Scott Morrison ahead of the 2022 Federal Election, bizarre things are beginning to unfold in Canberra.
Namely, the fact that Nats Deputy Leader David Littleproud and Opposition leader Anthony Albanese have both appeared together as keynote speakers at one of the most important agricultural conferences of the year.
National Farmers Federation President Fiona Simson launched the annual NFF conference by highlighting the importance of the upcoming federal election for agriculture and the bush could not be understated.
The fact that Morrison was not even in attendance says a lot about the current strains on the Coalition Government, with the Prime Minister opting to stream in via video.
However, the most shocking details of today’s proceedings was the fact that the Opposition leader even bothered showing up to address the historically hostile crowd.
Standing in front of room full of industry leaders who remember the live export ban all too well, Mr Albanese gave his pitch for Labor’s National Reconstruction Fund – which he says is specifically for the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food and fibre sectors.
“This will encourage investment in value adding and growing exports. It will help diversify the sector and open up new possibilities for trade,” he said.
Albanese also announced a plan to improve mobile coverage throughout Australia, including a $400 million fund to expand multi-carrier mobile coverage along with an audit of blackspots.
Asked if he would scrap the agriculture worker visa if he wins government, Mr Albanese told an audience of farmers and stakeholders he would provide a better system. And wouldn’t stop there.
“Don’t get me wrong” he told the conference.
“I hear your concerns”
“Don’t think for one minute that just because I grew up a world away in some council flat in the inner-city of Sydney… That I don’t understand the hopes, dreams and anxieties of rural Australia”
“We have a lot more in common than you think”
Albanese then went on to detail the similarities between the voters in his electorate and agricultural professionals.
“Take Howard’s gun laws for example” he said.
“I have mates in Marrickville that lost everything to that rushed legislation”
“It wasn’t just the farmers that had to change their practices that day”
“It was a critical blow to Sydney’s proud history of doing over banks and servos”
