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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-02-21 Daily Xml
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Lobbyists

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:18): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the subject of lobbyists.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: On 7 February, a media report revealed that the extent of activist funding against Australia's primary producers was extraordinary, in my view. The Australian Electoral Commission donor disclosure report notes the money raised by lobby groups that activate campaigns and court cases against those producing the food and fibre to feed and clothe Australia and the world.

The Australian Conservation Foundation, which has demanded less water for producers and more for environmental flows in the Murray-Darling Basin, pulled in over $59,000 over the three years to June 2023. Animals Australia raised some $79 million over the past five years to support campaigns and court cases against wild dog control, kangaroo culling, live export, feedlots, poultry farming and pig abattoirs. The Australian Dairy Farmers President, Ben Bennett, said Animals Australia were a 'well-oiled machine'.

Industry notes the lobby groups are very effective at getting a message across while ignoring the complexity and realities of issues such as food security, the environmental footprint of food and fibre imports compared to local production, and quality assurance levels of South Australia's excellent food and fibre. Mr Bennett is also quoted as saying, 'We're turning up with a water pistol and these guys have a bazooka.' My questions to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development are:

1. What is she doing to protect and support South Australian farmers who come under campaign attack from these sometimes very aggressive lobby groups?

2. What support is available from her department to assist small operators from multimillion dollar attack campaigns?

3. Given the size and financial backing of these groups, is it appropriate in the minister's view that the Environmental Defenders Office should also play a part in these sorts of cases?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:20): I thank the honourable member for his questions. I think the relevant point here is that there is a regulatory regime in place for lobbyists. In terms of funding and disclosure there are various requirements for any group and a number of those that were mentioned would be included in that, as would, for example, the National Farmers' Federation, in terms of their need to be transparent as well. I think that always in a democracy it is good to have robust debate and I would hope that we would all assist in that occurring.

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