November 24, 2016
NSW farmer and grazier Fiona Simson has been elected president of the National Farmers Federation – the first woman to have the role in the organisation’s 37-year history.
She succeeds Brent Finlay.
Ms Simson had a baptism of fire to her new role on Thursday in Canberra in a public stoush with Senator Jacqui Lambie over the backpacker tax.
Ms Simson said she supported the 19 per cent proposal and called on Senator Lambie to end uncertainty for farmers and the “ping-ponging” between the House of Representatives and the Senate.
However, Senator Lambie Senator told Ms Simson to “put on her gumboots” and go out and speak to the farmers.
In contrast, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce welcomed Ms Simson to the role.
“Congratulations to Ms Simson who will not only bring great practical knowledge to the role as a mixed farmer and grazier on the Liverpool Plains in NSW, but also has a considerable experience representing farmers,” Mr Joyce said.
“I would also like to extend my sincere apologies to Ms Simson for the way she was treated by Senator Jacqui Lambie this afternoon on her first visit to Parliament as the newly elected NFF President.
“Ms Lambie clearly did not want to engage in constructive conversation and it is appalling that she would treat a fellow agricultural advocate in this manner.
“Ms Simson is well respected and has served as a director of the NFF since 2011, Vice President of the NFF for the last two years and served a full four-year term as NSW Farmers president from 2011 to 2015.”
