‘It’s About Policy, Not Politics’: Farmer Leader on Canberra Protest

A week after a few thousand farmers protested outside the Australian Parliament, David Jochinke, President of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), said he is immensely proud of “the turnout and impact” of the event. The rally sparked debate in Parliament, with the Opposition criticising the government’s policies that have led farmers to protest at a scale not seen since 40 years ago. Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton and Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud joined the farmers on stage and pledged to submit to their demands if they came to power. Farmers have been unhappy with the Labor government’s 2028 planned phase-out of live sheep exports, the resumption of water buybacks under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, increased biosecurity charges, increases to superannuation contributions, and the impact of energy development, particularly renewables....