MEDIA RELEASE

ABBOTT GOVERNMENT BACK-FLIPS ON AGRICULTURE MINISTERIAL BODY

Labor welcomes todays decision by the Abbott Government to re-establish a ministerial working group on agriculture.

In a hasty decision shortly after being elected, the Abbott Government axed the key forum for holding crucial discussions between the Commonwealth, state, territory and New Zealand on primary industries - the Standing Council on Primary Industries (SCOPI).

At a time when the agricultural sector most needs support and guidance, this move by the Abbott Government was knee jerk and short-sighted.

Labor has been a vocal opponent of the axing of this working group and is pleased the Abbott Government has finally conceded it made the wrong decision, with Barnaby Joyce announcing today he would be holding an Agricultural Forum.

The industry needs certainty, particularly while we continue to wait for Mr Joyce to deliver his drought package. The industry deserve more than the inaction and silence of the past eight months.

MONDAY, 5 MAY 2014

MEDIA CONTACT: NATASA SIKMAN 0467 550 065