April 28, 2017
Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation president Brian Tessmann says local dairy farmers are “disappointed and bewildered” after a Parliamentary committee report into the Fair Milk Price Logo Bill recommended it not be passed.
“The report did not even attempt to amend the proposed legislation as is convention with other Bills,” he said.
“The only takeaway for Queensland dairy farmers was a flat ‘no’.
“It is clear the committee did its best to find reasons not to pass the Bill.
“The few reasons it gave resemble a joke rather than the respectful response our industry deserved.
“The claim the logos would be in breach of Section 92 of the Constitution, the Section that guarantees free trade between States, was an exaggeration of the highest order.
“Section 92 restricts States from excluding product from other States or imposing disincentives such as tariffs. The Fair Milk Logo Bill would assist in identifying local product, not restrict or impose any tariffs.
“If the supposed legal advice the committee received was real it would have been made in writing and made public.”
Mr Tessmann said rejecting the Fair Mark Logo Bill was the equivalent of questioning the merits behind the “Made in Australia” logo because it would discriminate against imported goods.
The proposed “Fair Milk Price” logo scheme would have helped consumers identify milk for which dairy farmers had been paid a fair price.
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