Minister Burke Treats Country Victoria with Contempt

22-February-2011

Environment Minister, Tony Burke has today sidled up the Greens in an effort to overturn the Victorian Government’s decision to allow cattle back into the high country.

Honouring an election promise the State Government has allowed a return of cattle grazing in the highlands, a much welcomed overturning of the previous State Labour Government’s policy. Mr Burke should commend a State Government for acting rather than breaking an election promise.

In Question time today, Greens Member for Melbourne, Adam Bandt asked Mr Burke if he would force Victorian farmers to remove cattle from the high country. Mr Burke responded by launching a scathing attack on Victorian farmers, claiming they treat the environment with contempt.

Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal Member for Indi says Mr Burke’s comments prove Labor has no concern for farmers and no understanding of country Victoria.

“These comments are proof that the Gillard Government is pandering to the Greens to hold onto power in the federal Government,” said Mrs Mirabella.

“Minister Burke clearly can’t accept that The Coalition won the Victorian election. His comments display his ignorance about both the needs of farmers as well as his ignorance of the fire prevention measure that cattle grazing provides.”

“As a former Minister for Agriculture, Mr Burke shows how little he knows of the operations of farms and agriculture. It is a concern that he was actually Minister – what disastrous decisions did he made behind the scenes?”

“This is just more proof that while Gillard may be PM, Bob Brown and the Greens are pulling the strings of the Government,” concluded Mrs Mirabella.