Liberals accused of misinterpreting The Greens agricultural policy

The Greens have accused Premier Jeremy Rockliff of engaging in baseless scaremongering regarding the party’s agricultural policy and say the Liberals are misrepresenting their position.

The Liberals say the Greens’ plan is “to reduce livestock emissions by slashing cattle numbers, smashing our beef and dairy industries, and putting the axe to jobs,” referring to a policy document on the party’s website.

However, the policy actually says the Greens will “incentivise and support farmers to reduce livestock emissions”.

Mr Rockliff said the Greens were a threat to traditional Tasmanian industries.

“Tasmania’s livestock industry and premium produce are the envy of the world, and the Tasmanian Liberals will always support our farmers,” Mr Rockliff said. 

“We know the only way Labor can govern after Saturday is with the Greens and their job-destroying agenda.

“A re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government will continue to support our farmers and the thousands of people who work in primary production in our rural and regional communities.” 

Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Tabatha Badger said their farming emissions policy was very similar to the Liberals’.

“The greatest threat to Tasmanian farmers is climate change and a government unwilling to take serious action, as we’ve seen the Liberals neglect to do for 11 years,” Ms Badger said.

“Farmers I speak to recognise climate change impacts as the biggest threat they face, and they want to be part of the solution.

‘The Liberals are only kidding themselves if they think they can pull the wool over farmers' eyes with this nonsense.

“Tasmanian farmers are clever, innovative and the Greens are right behind them.”