Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett is continuing his fight for the local Dairy Industry, calling for urgent meetings this week in Brisbane.

“I’m very conscious of the damage that deregulation has caused to the dairy industry in Queensland. I believe it’s very important that we have a home-grown dairy industry. I say no to a scenario which would see all the milk in Queensland coming from interstate, particularly Victoria. It’s just not on”, Mr Bennett said.

“I don’t think we want to be in a situation that relies on UHT stocks in the supermarkets. The major supermarkets have engaged in a price war that has hurt dairy farmers. They need to make sure that they put on the table arrangements where dairy farmers in Queensland can be sustainable, and we’re not relying on imported milk.

“Over the last twelve months, the Minister for Agriculture and I have been talking to dairy processors and dairy farmers through industry bodies about the challenges that the industry faces.

“The dairy industry is calling for a Code of Conduct Ombudsman, and we’ve been working with them over recent months to fine tune those plans. Others such as the Port Curtis Dairy Co-op are looking at dairy co-operative activities right across the State. In the midst of all these challenges, it’s very exciting to see local families looking at their own direct milk supply arrangements, cheese manufacturing and associated activities.

“It’s clear we need to work with the Federal Government and I’m encouraged by Senators Barnaby Joyce and Ron Boswell who have made some significant advances in sorting this mess out.

“My call for a Code of Conduct Ombudsman stems from the current system of a voluntary code of conduct. Some dairy industry workers are being paid less than $7 an hour and a review of the Competition and Consumer and Trade Practices Act is needed to turn the situation around.

“Dairy farmers are crucial to Australian prosperity and they need to be looked after.

“People want fairness at the farm gate, they want a fair price, they want fair contract terms, and they don’t want to be exploited,” Mr Bennett said.

The subject of milk pricing is already a matter before the Queensland Parliament.