Federal Election Done and Dusted

The 2025 Federal Election is done and dusted, with an overwhelming ALP win …. but what does this mean for the dairy industry?

Issues facing the dairy industry were not a feature of the campaign so no standout policy commitments were received from any political party.

The new Albanese Cabinet and Ministry has now been officially sworn in - Julie Collins remains in the cabinet as Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  Queensland Senator Anthony Chisholm is her Assistant Minister and adds Resources to his role.

The new Ministry does not include a Minister for Food as recommended last year by the parliamentary committee into food security.

EAM has written to the Minister and Assistant Minister congratulating them on their appointments and committed to working with them to address the important issues facing the dairy industry. 

A key issue for farmers is the review of the Dairy Code.  The arbitrary extension for the review means any changes to redress the imbalance between farmers and processors will not be made in time for the current round of milk contracts.  The new Government needs to take a keener interest in this review as it has all the hallmarks of a token exercise.

The survival and very existence of the dairy industry is a growing concern. Farms battered by severe and ongoing weather events are under strain, with fatigued farmers managing sodden fields they can’t re-plant, herd mastitis and sore feet inflating veterinary bills.  Unlike their Qld counterparts, NSW farmers are still waiting for Government assistance with the impact of ex-cyclone Alfred and their transport subsidies remain arbitrarily capped at $15 000 per financial year. 

Dairy farmers also need a more concerted effort from Government to help build climate resilience with on-farm infrastructure, trials of more tolerant pasture varieties and new labour-saving technologies.

The committee recommendation for a Food Security Plan and a specific strategy for reinvigorating the dairy industry would be a perfect focus for the new Minister to lift profitability and production while addressing the industry’s economic and environmental sustainability.

EastAUSmilk will focus our efforts to ensure Government is fully aware our farmers issues, the challenges facing farmers every day and the exciting opportunities that, if supported, will save and grow our dairy industry.    

Joe Bradley, President eastAUSmilk