The relocation of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) from Canberra to Barnaby Joyce’s electorate will cost Australian taxpayers $26 million and the agriculture sectors many millions more.

That’s not only my view; it’s backed by Minister Joyce’s own economic study of the relocation. 

A report he tried to hide from the Parliament and the community.

The Senate Committee will further canvass the very real concerns the agriculture, crop protection and veterinarian medicines sectors have about the relocation. 

Barnaby Joyce is trying to turn the inquiry into one about decentralisation. 

Moving an important agency out of Canberra and away from the Parliament and its customers (the chemical medicines companies) is not a regional job creation plan. 

Rather, it’s a plan to destroy farm productivity and a threat to human and animal health.

Joel Fitzgibbon MP

Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Shadow Minister for Rural and Regional Australia

Spokesperson for Country Caucus

Member for Hunter