“These ads, which have been airing on commercial TV networks for a number of weeks, falsely portray New South Wales farming families as environmental vandals,” Ms Dalton said.
“The ads must be taken off-air immediately.
“These ads blame New South Wales farming families for the state of the rivers when water mismanagement by the federal government is responsible for the shocking state of our system.
“These ads are being paid for by taxpayers. So, farming families are actually paying for ads that vilify themselves and their loved ones.
“I’m calling on Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to take this dishonest government advertising off-air immediately and to scrap the entire campaign.”
Ms Dalton has also slammed NSW Premier Chris Minns for refusing to condemn Federal Labor over the ad.
“Chris Minns is the Premier of New South Wales. He should be defending the people of his state from attacks by the Federal Government, and he is not.
“Instead, Premier Minns is siding with Federal Labor while regional farming families are being falsely vilified. This is a disgraceful situation."
Ms Dalton said when the matter was raised in Parliament this week, the Premier replied by saying he would be ‘happy to see the ad’.
Ms Dalton said it implied he hadn’t seen it.
“It’s been on TV for weeks, and I sent a copy of the ad to his staff last week,” she said.
“So, he is either out of touch, or he needs better staff.
“Chris needs to come out here to regional New South Wales and speak to farming families who are hurting so badly.
“Why would anyone from the Federal Government think it’s okay
to kick people when they are down?
“And if Tanya Plibersek had any decency, that vile, shameful ad would never go to air again.”
10°C