Support is unwavering

I WRITE in response to John Burns’ letter (CP, 18/11) regarding the dairy industry.

Firstly, the vote he speaks of occurred in the Senate, not the House of Representatives where I am a member.

Secondly, like most things with Pauline Hanson, her so-called legislation was half-baked, undercooked and was designed simply to grandstand.

Ms Hanson’s proposal was hastily drafted, would have had adverse effects for dairy farmers and certainly did not address core concerns of the industry.

The Morrison government is 150 per cent committed to supporting our dairy farmers. That is why we are currently in the process of implementing a Code of Conduct but we must get it absolutely right. The code is designed to set enforceable minimum standards of conduct for business practices between farmers and processors.

Finally, Mr Burns would be unaware that I actually hosted a dairy industry roundtable at my property in Malanda in January this year with then Agriculture Minister David Littleproud.

In attendance was a broad representation of the region’s dairy farmers and it allowed them to speak directly with the person who was then in charge of making things happen for them.

I also raised this issue personally with Prime Minister Scott Morrison who is in contact with one of the dairy farmers who attended.

My support for the dairy industry is unwavering, despite many of those affected not residing in my electorate.

Warren Entsch, Leichhardt MP