Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I can, Senator McDonald. While we've sided with farmers from day one, the support for farmers from those opposite has been lukewarm at best. Some would say it's colder than a Canberra winter.

Senator Sterle interjecting—

Sorry, Senator Sterle—through you, Mr President—it actually has. There's a phrase that the press gallery has been using about the response of those opposite to the government's agenda. It's about complaining, making a noise and then, at the end of the day, voting for the proposition. We would seek that you actually support our agenda rather than bitch and moan about it. When Labor is given a chance to side with farmers and stand up to activists, we get more of the same flip-flop. Our message is: just get on with it. Save us the heartache and save our ears from bleeding. If you're going to vote for our legislation to support farmers, say it up-front and get on with it. The Australian public sent a strong message at the ballot box, and that was to back our regions.