Farmers walk out on Ag Minister's budget speech on same day Biosecurity Levy shelved

Farmers have walked out on the agriculture minister to show their fury at the 2028 live sheep export ban, while also expressing disappointment at the budget. 

The group of representatives from the National Farmers Federation, Wool Producers Australia, Sheep Producers Australia, Cattle Australia, Australian Livestock Export Council, WA Farmers, AgForce Queensland and NSW Farmers walked out of a budget breakfast enraged by the live sheep export ban, with the trade to end by May 2028. 

Wearing "keep the sheep" T-shirts, they walked out when the Agriculture Minister Murray Watt started talking about the ban. 

The federal budget allocated $107 million over the next five years to help farmers transition away from live sheep exports. 

"We don't want your money, we want the trade," National Farmers' David Jochinke said at a media conference shortly after Wednesday's walk out. 

But Minister Murray Watt dismissed the move as a stunt. 

 "While a handful of the NFF leadership walked out, a couple of hundred ag leaders ... stayed to hear about the government's $5 billion investment in agriculture in last night's budget," Senator Watt said. 

"The centrepiece of last night's agriculture budget was nearly $520 million to support programs and initiatives in a rejuvenated Future Drought Fund.” 

Farmers say there were few surprises in Tuesday's budget, with much of the money promised in pre-budget announcements, including the rejuvenated drought fund and money for live sheep exports. 

"The $107 million was to help cancel an industry," National Farmers' Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said. 

Opposition agriculture spokesperson David Littleproud also condemned the package. 

"Farmers don't want compensation... a future coalition government will reinstate the live sheep export trade," Mr Littleproud said.  

Meanwhile, amid farmers' continued opposition to a biosecurity levy imposed in the last budget, the Greens have confirmed they won't support it, meaning the legislation has effectively been shelved. 

The NFF has confirmed The Greens, Coalition, One Nation, and Senators David Pocock, Jacqui Lambie, Tammy Tyrell and Ralph Babet would oppose the tax. 

"If the government needs an extra $50 million to boost biosecurity border security, it should look elsewhere," Green's senator Peter Whish-Wilson said. 

The news has been welcomed by Grain Producers Australia, who praised the Greens senator along with independent David Pocock and coalition members. 

"We're thankful that they've taken the time to listen and be pragmatic," Barry Large from Grain Producers Australia said. 

As of 5pm last night, the Biosecurity Levy remained the last bills on the list of business to be considered before 8pm this evening. 

Senator Watt was contacted for comment about the biosecurity levy’s failure and how biosecurity would now be funding, but did not respond before publication.