Hanson ally’s 'non-productive' remark resurfaces in byelection bid

Sydney – David Farley, the One Nation candidate in the upcoming byelection for the Farrer seat, has ignited fresh controversy with a remark comparing former Prime Minister Julia Gillard to a "non-productive old cow." The comments, made in 2012, have been resurrected as Farley seeks to bolster the party’s standing in the traditionally Liberal-held constituency.

Farley's past comments draw scrutiny ahead of farrer byelection

Farley, a Narrandera-based agricultural businessman, made the disparaging reference while discussing new abattoir technology designed to process older cattle. He suggested that instead of allowing “non-productive” animals to die or be put in trucks, the technology offered a way to process them for meat. “So the old cows that become non-productive, instead of making a decision to either let her die in the paddock or put her in the truck … this gives us a chance to take non-productive animals off and put them through the processing system. So it’s designed for non-productive old cows. Julia Gillard’s got to watch out,” Farley stated at the time.

The comments, reportedly met with laughter from the audience, were defended by Pauline Hanson, the leader of One Nation. She argued that the remarks were "mild" compared to the sentiment within the agricultural industry at the time, citing the then Labor government’s decision to ban live cattle exports to Indonesia. “Get over it. This is a country with serious issues on our plate and journalists want to trawl through 14-year-old, tongue-in-cheek comments?” Hanson told Guardian Australia.

The comments have drawn sharp criticism. Melissa McIntosh, the Liberal shadow minister for women, labelled Farley’s remarks as “inappropriate” and called for clarification. The byelection, triggered by Sussan Ley’s resignation after being ousted as Liberal leader, is seen as a key test for both the Liberal and Nationals parties. The Liberal party has yet to nominate a candidate, while the Nationals are expected to finalize their selection this weekend. Labor is not expected to field a candidate.

Hanson also took a swipe at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, suggesting he is concerned about losing ground. “He knows damn well that he is going to get a lower vote than last time,” she asserted. The election will test One Nation's ability to gain traction in a region that has historically leaned Liberal.

Farley's selection as the One Nation candidate is a calculated move to capitalize on lingering resentment within the agricultural sector. The long-simmering controversy highlights the enduring impact of past political rhetoric and the challenges of navigating sensitive issues in contemporary Australian Politics. The upcoming election will reveal whether this strategy will resonate with voters.