New deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce

AUSTRALIA’S leading sheepmeat producer body has welcomed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s new ministry and praised the efforts of outgoing ministers Warren Truss and Andrew Robb.

Sheepmeat Council of Australia chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton welcomed the news that Barnaby Joyce will continue as Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources after being appointed leader of the National Party and deputy Prime Minister last week.

“Minister Joyce has been a passionate advocate for the livestock industry and agriculture more broadly and we are looking forward to continuing to work with him and his office to raise the profile of Australian food and our farmers amongst his government colleagues and all Australians,” Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

The sheepmeat industry also thanked outgoing ministers Warren Truss and Andrew Robb for their efforts in Federal Parliament over a long period of time.

“Ministers Truss and Robb have both been very proactive in promoting the needs of Australian agriculture and the regional communities they represent in numerous positions over many years’, Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

“In particular, Andrew Robb has been pivotal in driving Free Trade Agreements with Japan, China, and Korea as well as progressing the Trans Pacific Partnership within a relatively short period of time.

“These trade deals represent outstanding gains for Australian sheep producers,” he said.

The council is looking forward to working with the new Minister for Trade, Steve Ciobo and his team.

Mr Harvey-Sutton also congratulated Fiona Nash on her election as deputy leader of the Nationals and appointment as Minister for Regional Development and Rural Health.

‘It is important that the health and resilience of our regional communities and the people that live in them are promoted in Parliament by Australians that understand the role they play in our National economy.

“We are certain that Minister Nash, a farmer herself, will continue to do that’, he said.

Source: Sheepmeat Council of Australia