WAFarmers welcomes the commitment from shadow agriculture spokesman John Cobb of $2.2million in Native Title respondent funding, should the Coalition be elected on September 7.
The funding would restore the former balance where respondents and claimants were equally supported by the Federal government, WAFarmers President Dale Park said.
“The system that has been in place for the past six years, where respondents had to fund their own defences to Native Title claims while the Federal government financially supported claimants was unfair to respondents,” Mr Park said.
“This funding will provide relief for pastoralists who have funded their own defences while their opposition received Federal support,” Mr Park said.
“It has been another impost on a sector that is already struggling to maintain its profitability and remain internationally competitive in challenging conditions.”
