The Nationals leader and Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, says submissions to the Inquiry into pig welfare in Victoria officially closed today but late submissions are just as important.
Because he says it’s time to save the local pork industry’s bacon – and there’s no time to be wasted.
Mr Walsh says the industry, which is strong across his electorate, is again under attack by “ideological fantasists” in the Allan Labor government and its Greens puppet masters and the Liberals Nationals are calling on the wider community to urgently get on board.
He says it is crucial industry and regional voices are not drowned out by extreme views clouding a sector contributing $488 million to the Victorian economy and supporting almost 2700 full-time jobs.
“If you enjoyed your traditional Christmas lunch, the bad news is Premier Jacinta Allan is now coming after your ham,” Mr Walsh says.
“Labor has launched its ham-fisted Inquiry into pig welfare in Victoria and we are taking a stand against this attack on an industry backed by peer-reviewed, global scientific research into animal welfare.
“The launch of the ‘Save Our Bacon’ website – a key platform in the fight for an industry that already has the support of independent, audited quality assurance programs and is now live,” he says.
“Even if you didn’t get your submission in on time, I urge you to make a late one as soon as possible.”
The Liberals and Nationals are making it easy to provide submissions simply by following the link to the website at www.saveourbacon.com.au
Mr Walsh says Labor is simply selling out Victorian pork producers.
“This is just another way Premier Allan is punishing food producers who put food on our tables and contribute to community economies – and the hypocrisy of their attack is almost laughable. The Victorian appetite for pork products won’t change because Labor and its Green allies say so,” he added.
“What they will achieve is more unemployment, another rural industry ruined – think timber as another recent example – and all that will happen is supermarkets will simply import all the pork products their customers demand – and it will almost certainly cost more.
“Victorians are in a cost-of-living crisis, and now it is clear Labor is coming after your Christmas ham, bacon and pork dumplings,” Mr Walsh says.
“This is a cruel cloud over the pork industry, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise given Labor’s misguided and botched promises.
“Premier Allan can’t manage money, can’t manage projects and can’t be trusted to protect the pork industry and the hardworking Victorian families it supports.”
