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National Farmers' Federation

NFF congratulates Barnaby Joyce on Nationals Leadership

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has congratulated Member for New England and Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, on his success in claiming leadership of the Nationals and the position of Deputy Prime Minister.
Mr Joyce ran unopposed in a leadership ballot held in Canberra last night, following the retirement of veteran parliamentarian and Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss.
NFF President, Brent Finlay, said the change in leadership concluded two busy days in federal politics with Minister for Trade and Investment, and leader of Australia’s efforts to secure key Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) crucial to the growth of the agriculture industry, Andrew Robb, also announcing his retirement.
“We congratulate Mr Joyce on his success in securing the Nationals leadership and are heartened by the fact someone with strong ties to the agricultural sector and an awareness of current rural issues has replaced Mr Truss, also an advocate for regional Australia, in the role of Deputy Prime Minister,” Mr Finlay said.
Mr Finlay also congratulated current Minister for Rural Health, Senator Fiona Nash, on her election as Deputy Leader and welcomed her vast agricultural knowledge and background in farming on a property near Young in NSW.
“We now look to Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to ensure that within any cabinet reshuffle the portfolios critical to the rural industry including Trade and Investment, Agriculture and Infrastructure and Regional Development, are assigned to MPs who have a strong awareness and understanding of the sector,” he said.
“Australian agriculture has entered a period of enormous opportunity in both existing and potential markets driven by growing global wealth and demand for our premium quality and safe food and fibre products.
“The growing role agriculture will play as one of the foremost pillars of the Australian economy must continue to be recognised at the federal level and reflected in the appointment of the best and brightest to lead these important portfolios.
“Again, we congratulate Mr Joyce and look forward to the continued elevation of agriculture as a federal policy and economic priority.”

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