Farmers muster a modest protest in Canberra

Farmers from across the country rallied outside of Parliament House. Photos: James Day.

A few hundred farmers turned up to protest outside Parliament House on Tuesday (10 September) against the government’s ban on live sheep exports, against water allocations, and against what they say is Canberra’s attitude towards the agriculture sector in general.

The modest size of the crowd didn’t stop Coalition MPs, Bob Katter and Pauline Hanson from seizing the opportunity to rev up the crowd against Labor and, in particular, Anthony Albanese.

Senator Hanson described Mr Albanese as “the worst Prime Minister I have ever seen”, twice adding, “he has to go”.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton promised to reverse the ban on live sheep exports (which only affects WA farmers) if elected PM and wondered why Mr Albanese wasn’t also addressing the hostile crowd.

“We’re committed to your sector. We want to make sure that there’s a bright future for you, for your kids and for your great-grandkids,” Mr Dutton said.

“I think the Prime Minister should revisit his decision not to be here with us today, to come down, to come down and say to you that the Albanese government has made a terrible mistake.”

A convoy of trucks rode up and down the main streets of Canberra in support of the farmers' rally. Photo: Facebook.

Farmers across the country met on the front lawns outside Parliament House.

MC Gillian Fennell standing aside WA farmer.

Among their primary concerns are water buybacks in the Murray Darling Basin and protecting the Great Artesian Basin.

Supporters of an independent Riverina state from NSW and Victoria were also there in support.

Nationals leader David Littleproud also addressed the crowd, but he was himself verballed over water allocations when he was a minister in the former Coalition government.

He became noticeably agitated by that criticism.

“I’m happy to stand here every day of the week and tell you what I did as a water minister and the reforms I put in place that have meant more people are sitting in regional Australia, more businesses are still surviving, rather than this lazy buyback option,” Mr Littleproud said.

As the Liberals and Nationals mounted the stage for their speeches, Federal MP Bob Katter embraced a reclined position in front of the stage.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton promised to overturn the ban on live sheep exports.

Nationals leader David Littleproud stood by his actions as a former water minister.

Outgoing MP for Leichardt Warren Entsch was among the Coalition MPs who came down to join the rally.

Bob Katter.

Pauline Hanson said the Prime Minister has to go.

Mr Katter pined for the good old days and suggested more rural independents need to be elected to parliament.

“All you need is half a dozen seats to have the balance of power,” he told the crowd.

After a chorus of various chants from the tiny mob of protesters – “they don’t care”, “we’ve been abandoned” and “we will be heard” – the MPs walked back into parliament and the farmers dispersed.