The rice industry says there’s no wins for rice in the new agreement.
Photo by
bernie_photo
Candidates for the seat of Farrer are joining industry groups and politicians in criticising the Federal Labor Government’s decision to approve the Australia–European Union Free Trade Agreement.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The newly concluded EU free trade agreement establishes sweeping tariff reductions, expanded market access, and stronger rules‑based cooperation.
It removes or lowers duties on over 90 per cent of tariff lines, easing trade in goods such as machinery, chemicals, agri‑food products, textiles, and autos.
While some sectors such as wine, horticulture and grains may benefit, many stakeholders say key industries have been left behind.
The Ricegrowers Association said it delivers no commercially meaningful market access for the rice industry, meaning the industry is “left behind again”.
Meat Livestock Australia has labelled it the “worst ever free trade agreement for the Australian meat industry to date”.
And the National Farmers Federation said what the government has accepted “appears to offer no material change for key agricultural commodities as what the government rightly rejected in October 2023”.
Independent candidate for Farrer Michelle Milthorpe said the EU trade deal highlights a broader failure to understand regional Australia.
Michelle Milthorpe.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
“This isn’t just about one deal, it’s about a pattern of decisions made without understanding our context,” she said.
“Farmers and regional communities are already under pressure from every direction- water policy that overlooks local realities, rising fuel costs, and skyrocketing fertiliser prices.”
Mrs Milthorpe said these pressures are not accidental, but the result of long-term policy failure.
“We are seeing the consequences of years of poor planning and a lack of energy security.
“When global conflict disrupted supply chains, Australia wasn’t ready, and it’s regional communities who are paying the price.
“And instead of fixing those foundations, we are now seeing trade decisions layered on top that risk making that pressure even worse.”
“It opens our market to increased competition from around the world, while many of our producers remain locked out of the export market by quotas and limits.”
“When the red meat sector says it has been ‘profoundly let down’, people should listen.”
Nationals’ candidate for Farrer Brad Robertson slammed the government’s agreement, describing it as a ‘dud’ for the region’s export and farming sectors.
He said it sold out all Australian farmers and Australian interests.
“Federal Nationals’ leader Matt Canavan is 100 per cent right when he described this as the ‘worst trade deal ever’,” Mr Robertson said.
Nationals Leader Matt Canavan and Nationals candidate for Farrer Brad Robertson. Photo by AAP Image/Mick Tsikas.
Photo by
MICK TSIKAS
“Labor said it would walk away from a trade deal with the EU if it wasn’t good for Australia – and guess what? They happily signed up to a dud deal and have been flat out patting themselves on the back ever since.”
Mr Robertson said the signed agreement was not materially different to one Labor had previously rejected, and offered barely any extra market access for our exporters.
He also highlighted a widening gulf between what was being agreed to internationally and what communities across Farrer were asking for.
“Our farmers, regional businesses and families aren’t seeking more climate restrictions - they want lower costs, reliable fuel, secure water and the freedom to produce food and fibre without being choked by red tape,” he said.
“The Albanese Labor Government must immediately release the full detail of the proposed EU agreement, including all climate provisions, enforcement mechanisms and potential penalties.”
