Exiting MP’s farm fears

Staff ReporterHills Avon Valley Gazette

After 26 years as MLC for the Agricultural Region, Mr Trenorden last week refused to enter the Upper House for his valedictory speech, claiming he no longer had the authority of the people.

The 64-year-old contested the Agricultural Region electorate at the March State election as a rural independent after falling out with the Nationals. He was unsuccessful.

‘It’s now left to those elected to rise to the occasion and, hopefully, sufficient members will meet this challenge,’ he said.

‘For more than two decades, Australia has been part of international trade discussions that pursued a dream of achieving free trade in agriculture.

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‘It was believed that such a free trade outcome would be of enduring benefit to Australia. (But) these efforts have failed and will always fail because other countries are developing policies based on food security, community and sovereign interests, not a theoretical economic rationale.

‘Any country that does not understand the primacy of agriculture to the economy is endangering the well-being of the nation and its people.’

Mr Trenorden, who won seven elections, had been an active member for the Wheatbelt Region working from an office in Northam.