Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has launched a blistering attack on Pauline Hanson, warning her push for a minimum milk price would destroy farming.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In his first comments on the troubled dairy sector since regaining the agriculture portfolio, Mr Littleproud savaged the One Nation leader's "cruel hoax" on a floor price.
"This simplistic, populist notion is dangerous," he told AAP on Thursday.
"It's reckless. Politicians need to actually grow up and show some maturity and understanding of the complexity of the world we live in."
The new Nationals deputy leader warned of wide-ranging consequences for agriculture if Senator Hanson's plan was adopted.
He pointed to international trade agreements being placed at risk.
"Anyone (who) listens to Pauline Hanson, even if you're outside the dairy industry, you should be frightened," he said.
"This will destroy agriculture. This is serious stuff."
Mr Littleproud accused Senator Hanson of making populist statements that played with people's livelihoods.
"We are a nation of 25 million people. We produce enough food for 75 (million)," he said.
"If we don't engage with the world, if we don't trade with the world, agriculture is buggered."
Senator Hanson demanded former agriculture minister Bridget McKenzie quit over her handling of the now-implemented Dairy Industry Code of Conduct.
The issue inflamed tensions within the Nationals, with Senator Hanson persistently calling for a floor price for milk.
Mr Littleproud, who replaced Senator McKenzie after she resigned over a grants scandal, said he would set dairy policies with "people who know what they're doing".
He said a floor price would not work.
"If you're a beef producer, you're just putting at risk the trade agreements that we have with key markets around the world," the minister said.
Wheat producers should be "frightened" by Pauline Hanson's economic approach, he said.
Labor supported Senator Hanson's push to get the competition watchdog to investigate a minimum milk price last year, but it was defeated 31-30 in the upper house.
Australian Associated Press
