Farmers asses what majority Labor government will mean for themBy Warwick LongABC RuralTopic:Elections7m ago7 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:16amIncreased funding to key agriculture events was promised during the election campaign. (ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)abc.net.au/news/farmers-react-to-labor-federal-election-win/105252646Link copiedShareShare articleLabor's resounding federal election win will likely end the live export of sheep by sea, a move strongly resisted by the agriculture sector.And while agriculture was not front and centre of the election campaign, the Albanese government said a national food security plan, funding for farm safety and a strong record on trade would form a large part of its commitment to farmers.Protests, walkouts and fightsAustralia's peak farming body, National Farmers' Federation, has been at war with the Labor government over the phasing out of the live sheep trade by 2028 and other issues, including a proposal to levy farmers to fund biosecurity that was Biosecurity levy scrapped .National Farmers' Federation president David Jochinke said the agriculture sector, which was worth about $88 billion, still had major concerns about the returned government's policies.David Jochinke says farmers need to hold firm on agriculture policy. (Supplied: VFF)"There are going to be some absolute headwinds when we talk water, industrial relations, trade with regards to sheep live export and also productivity," he said."We have to make sure we hold firm on agriculture policy and we are not going to back away from hard lines that we put in the sand around what we can and can't accept."Ultimately there will be some policies we are not satisfied with and we will take appropriate action."Keep the Sheep held rallies and truck protests in key seats ahead of the election. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)Live export will endLabor's election victory confirmed the end of the live sheep by sea trade, which was legislated in the last parliament with the phase out to occur in 2028.A $140 million compensation package to industry from the federal government was included in the process.Holly Ludeman has been coordinating the Keep the Sheep campaign. (ABC News: Ruby Littler)The win was a disappointment to the Keep the Sheep campaign — a Western Australia lobby group dedicated to overturning the decision which held rallies, truck protests, and tried to influence the election in key WA seats.Campaign coordinator Holly Ludeman said she spent the day inspecting animals and loading sheep on a live export vessel in Fremantle.She said she hoped to continue the fight."We need to take some time to regroup," she said."There is another election in a few years. This is a viable industry and that's what I'm going to keep fighting for."Strong record on tradeMs Collins said her government's record on reopening access to key exports markets in China was a major success for agriculture."We've got the most diversified agricultural trade now that we've ever had, 169 different markets now," she said.Julie Collins says the government has farmers' backs when it comes to trade. (ABC News: Jacqueline Lynch)A trade war with China which started in 2020 had locked out Australian wine, barley, hay, lobster and beef exports.But since the Albanese government came to power, Chinese tariffs on all the goods have been dropped.Trade was restored and increased with an announcement last week of new apple and lamb markets to China."I think Australian farmers know that we've got their back when it comes to this," Ms Collins said."We've been slowly restoring relationships right across the globe and we've been working incredibly hard to make sure that we get access to those markets that are so critical to producers."What else?During the election, Labor committed to spending $3.5 million on new national food security strategy Feeding Australia.Mr Jochinke supported the strategy."Hopefully it shows us strengths and weaknesses throughout the supply chain including inputs on farm, production on farm and supply chain for consumers, and that will form the basis of trying to form better policy," he said. Labor also promised increased funding to key agriculture events such as Beef Australia at Rockhampton and Lambex — a sheep event to be hosted in Adelaide in 2026.How a mining region became Australia's beef capitalPhoto shows A young woman smiling and wearing a winning ribbon as she holds onto stud cattle.Gold, sheep, now beef cattle — Rockhampton has a varied history. But it's an event held every three years that has secured Rockhampton its spot as the beef capital of Australia.Labor said its planned investment in the sector would identify opportunities to improve supply chain resilience with a goal of minimising price volatility and costs at the check-out.Labor also pledged to spend $2.5 million to continue key farm safety programs after farm deaths doubled in the past two years.The big remaining question for farmers was who would represent them and make major policy decisions inside the re-elected Albanese government.Ms Collins came into the job in July 2024.While it was not known if she would retain the role, Ms Collins said she wanted to stay."It's a privilege, I've loved it, and I would love to continue doing it," she said.ABC Rural RoundUp newsletterStories from farms and country towns across Australia, delivered each Friday.Your information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 7m ago7 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:16amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatLIVEPhoto shows Perin Davey listens to a press conference by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek at Parliament HouseSea of solar gives a clue why Australians chose batteries over nuclear Topic:Energy PolicyPhoto shows Electricians place solar panels on roofGreens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A composite photo of a brunette woman, brown haired man with glasses, blonde woman with glasses and dark haired man.After millions of dollars and texts, Trumpet of Patriots fails to deliverTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Palmer scratches his head.The timeline prosecutors allege in the mushroom murder trialTopic:ExplainerPhoto shows A woman standing in front of her car.Related storiesLeaked draft of $45m federal aid plan for sheep farmers 'a shemozzle'Topic:Sheep FarmingPhoto shows a woman closes a gate in sheepyards'Laughable policies': Voters explain what went wrong for CoalitionTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A young coupleApple growers no longer at mercy of supermarkets with China agreementTopic:Trade AgreementsPhoto shows An apple and a punnett of apples.More Aussie sheep meat will be sent to China as trade wars continueTopic:Trade AgreementsPhoto shows Raw lamb chops.Related topicsAgricultural and Farming PracticeBallaratBendigoElectionsHorshamMilduraSaleSheppartonTop StoriesNationals deputy leader 'shattered' she will likely lose Senate seatTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Perin Davey listens to a press conference by Water Minister Tanya Plibersek at Parliament HouseSea of solar gives a clue why Australians chose batteries over nuclear Topic:Energy PolicyGreens' Adam Bandt in danger as seat of Melbourne remains on knife's edgeTopic:ElectionsAfter millions of dollars and texts, Trumpet of Patriots fails to deliverTopic:ElectionsThe timeline prosecutors allege in the mushroom murder trialTopic:ExplainerJust InErin Patterson's mushroom murder trial resumesLIVEJust nowTue 6 May 2025 at 12:22amFarmers urged to 'hold firm' on policies upon Labor's returnTopic:Elections7m ago7 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 12:16amM1 scrap metal spill damage bill rises as drivers claim tyre repairsTopic:Road Accidents and Incidents31m ago31 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 11:51pmCalls for 'tough decisions' as drought threatens famously clear SA dive spotsTopic:Environmental Management35m ago35 minutes agoMon 5 May 2025 at 11:48pmMore Just InBack to top