Question Time AU

Ministerial Statement

Agriculture Industry

House of Representatives · Wednesday 3 September 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate centred on the state of Australia's agricultural industry, with speakers highlighting concerns over government policies affecting farmers. The lead speaker acknowledged the importance of agriculture in his electorate before handing over to the Minister for Agriculture. The Minister criticised the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the expansion of wind turbines on farmland, arguing these measures threaten food production and rural communities. The Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability opposed the government's record, citing the shutdown of gillnet fishing and the live sheep trade, increased biosecurity costs, labour shortages, and high energy prices as detrimental to the sector. The debate concluded with calls for policy reversals regarding visas, infrastructure funding, and tax measures.

Outcome

The debate was adjourned.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Andrew Wallace (Fisher) (Liberal National Party) LNP

Wallace highlighted the significance of agricultural industries in the seat of Fisher, including fisheries, fruit farming, and cattle grazing, despite high real estate prices limiting broad-scale farming. Wallace acknowledged the hard work of farmers who produce food and fibre for the nation, noting that many listen to parliamentary proceedings while working. Wallace expressed gratitude to local business owners and farmers for their contributions to the community and the country. Wallace then yielded the floor to the Minister for Agriculture to address broader sector issues.

Government response

Michael McCormack (Minister for Agriculture) Nationals Riverina

McCormack argued that a significant divide exists between urban and rural perspectives on agriculture, with farmers facing unprecedented threats from weather variability and government policy. McCormack criticised the Murray-Darling Basin Plan for negatively impacting irrigation farmers and noted that water buybacks harm rural communities by reducing local economic activity. McCormack opposed the government's net zero proposals, specifically the installation of wind turbines on prime agricultural land, arguing this would disrupt food production and divide families. McCormack asserted that the primary challenge is feeding a hungry world, which requires protecting farmland from renewable energy infrastructure.

Opposition response

Andrew Willcox (Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability) LNP Dawson

Willcox contended that the Labor government had failed the agricultural sector through various policy decisions, including the shutdown of the gillnet fishing industry and the live sheep trade. Willcox argued that biosecurity measures unfairly placed costs on Australian farmers and that changes to the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme created labour shortages, leading to higher consumer prices. Willcox criticised high energy costs driven by renewable energy transitions and the use of agricultural land for solar panels and transmission lines. Willcox also warned against taxing unrealised capital gains on family farms and called for the restoration of the agricultural visa program.