Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brown, I'm sorry. Resume your seat. Senator McKim, come to order or leave the chamber.

Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator McCarthy. We know that the conflict in the Middle East is causing serious challenges for families, farmers and businesses in Australia and around the world. Our farmers, fishers and producers work hard every day to feed millions of Australians and our international neighbours, and they are feeling the pressure of these global disruptions on their input costs and their supply chains. Can the minister outline what the Albanese Labor government is doing to support our farmers and regional communities through this difficult period and to keep Australian agricultural supply chains moving.

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government will always back our farmers, fishers and producers. They underpin our food security, our economy and our regional communities. Over recent weeks they have faced real challenges from the conflict in the Middle East, which is having impacts globally, and that's why our government has been working day and night to help our farmers manage these impacts and keep Australia moving.

We know our farmers are under real pressure on input costs, particularly fuel and fertiliser. That's why the Albanese Labor government is acting to halve the fuel excise for three months, lowering costs at the bowser for farmers filling up machinery. We've amended fuel and diesel standards and released 20 per cent of our strategic fuel stockpile, and yesterday our government deferred full cost recovery for export services for one year until 1 July 2027, giving farmers and exporters more certainty and allowing our producers to continue to compete on the world stage.

The NFF president, Hamish McIntyre, called these 'practical decisions that will deliver more certainty for farmers and exporters'. The Australian Livestock Exporters' Council called it 'a commonsense outcome'. The Australian Meat Industry Council said that our government has listened—unlike those opposite—and responded to industry concerns. These changes will keep our farmers farming and will mean regional communities are not left behind. That is what's in the national interest, and on this side of the chamber we will always stand up for our farmers, producers, exporters and regional communities.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brown, first supplementary?

Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, as you mentioned, our farmers are facing increasing pressure from input costs. Fertiliser is one of the most critical inputs for food production, and we know that supply from the Middle East has been disrupted. Can the minister update the Senate on what the Albanese Labor government is doing to secure fertiliser supplies for Australian farmers?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Fertiliser is critical and our government is acting on multiple fronts to secure supply. The legislation that passed parliament this week gives Export Finance Australia new powers to underwrite fuel and fertiliser purchases from international markets. This means the government can give suppliers the confidence to get product to where it's needed most, and key fertiliser flowing to Australian farmers and producers.

At the same time, Ministers Collins and Ayres have established a fertiliser working group, bringing the Public Service together with representatives from Fertilizer Australia, the National Farmers' Federation and right across industry. This working group will meet for the first time tomorrow to monitor supply and demand and to work through options to increase supply. This may include engaging alternative supplies in South-East Asia and supporting domestic production. We're using every lever we have to keep our farmers farming.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brown, second supplementary?

Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australians rightly expect their government to act when global events put pressure on our economy. Can the minister outline what further measures the Albanese Labor government has taken to protect Australian families, farmers and businesses?

Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Every part of our government's response to this unprecedented shock is designed to keep our farmers farming. We're also reducing the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for three months, and we're deferring the next scheduled increase by six months. This reduction will help keep farmers' freight moving in our regions. All these efforts are what a considered plan looks like—practical action that makes a real difference on the ground. Those opposite are really good at attacking, good at playing politics and good at trying to scare Australians, but where are their solutions? As we deal with this unprecedented shock to global energy markets, those opposite can keep trying to scare Australian farming families. The Albanese Labor government is just getting on with the job.