If we are every going to achieve socially acceptable, environmentally friendly and financially rewarding agriculture in this country this post on Australian Indonesian relations from The Conversation Beyond boats, beef, and Bali: reassessing Australia’s relations with Indonesia had some wise words that we as farmer could to take on board about consumer relationships.
We will need to deepen our understanding of each other and foster greater social, cultural and economic relations ……. . But most importantly we must not take our relations for granted. They require constant nurturing through “face-to-face” dialogue, involving frank conversation and compassionate listening.
Lets not forget farmers today are less than 1%of the population we have got to make the effort and get out there and start the two way conversations
The current Government have totally upset Indonesia by implementing the live ban on cattle. Clearly the Govt are not interested in Rural People at all or thier abilkity to earn a livlihood. Indonesia will take tier business elsewhere is a possible outcome.
Hi Ray I think the government are very interested in rural people but they are much more concerned about the opinions of the 86% of voters who live in our cities or within 80 miles of the coast .
As this article in the conversation reminds us there are much bigger issues at play that saving your seat in parliament
Quoting from the article
‘Another significant observation made …. was the fundamental change in the nature of the interdependency between Australia and Indonesia. As one Australian Indonesianist stated, “Canberra needs Jakarta more than Jakarta needs Canberra”. This is not a sentiment that is widely acknowledged, but in fact, still appears to be the dominant mindset in Australia which perceives Indonesia as a developing country in need of aid and assistance. Hence, the view that Indonesia is obliged to help Australia secure its borders and solve the problem of “people smuggling”, that Indonesia will help Australia to “stop the boats”. Australians will need to rethink the way it engages with its northern neighbour’
Whether Australian voters need the people who feed and clothe them more than we need them is something I certainly don’t want to test.
Lets not forget in real terms it was people power that shut down the live export trade not Joe Ludwig