THE Nationals have made a public heart-felt plea to state premiers, urging them to agree to a national code that will give ag workers an exemption to move between states.
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A decision is due at Friday's National Cabinet meeting, however early reports indicate the majority of states are not in favour of the ag codes.
Despite the public appeal to premiers, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack maintained he had "every faith" the ag codes would be agreed to.
"I'm confident that we will see practical commonsense achieved," Mr McCormack said.
"This code is sensible for our farmers, for them to be able to go across the border and do what they need to do."
Mr McCormack also criticised the Queensland government's decision to allow AFL officials into the state for the grand final announcement, while continuing to ignore regional communities.
"When people can't access health, when people can't go to the funeral of a loved one, it's not right and it's not fair," he said.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud challenged any state government who didn't agree with the codes to back their stance up with medical evidence.
Mr Littleproud also said without the codes, the states risked food storages.
"If they don't start talking to one another and working with one another they're going to have an even bigger shortage," Mr Littleproud said
"We've made that clear to all the states - you need to understand that you need to work through that now, because we don't want to be having another bum fight in two months, three months time when it becomes critical.
"That's not leadership, that's just politics."
On Wednesday, the Victorian Farmers Federation and GrainGrowers expressed their disappointment at the inability to reach an agreement.
VFF president David Jochinke, of Murra Warra, labelled an earlier rejection of the code by the Australian Health Protection Committee "irresposible" and "a kick in the guts for farmers".
GrainGrowers Chair Brett Hosking, of Quambatook, said the agricultural workforce needed to be in place "so we are equipped to deliver what looks to be a bumper harvest that will help Australia's economic recovery".
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Jamieson Murphy
Newcastle Herald news director. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Newcastle Herald news director. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
