One Nation Candidate's Past 'Old Cow' Comment About Julia Gillard Ignites Byelection Row
David Farley, the One Nation candidate selected for the crucial Farrer byelection, has come under fire for historical remarks where he likened former Prime Minister Julia Gillard to a "non-productive old cow" that should be destroyed. The comments, made in 2012, have resurfaced as Farley, a 69-year-old agriculture businessman from Narrandera, prepares to contest the seat left vacant by Sussan Ley's departure from parliament.
Context of the Controversial Statement
In 2012, while serving as the chief executive of the Australian Agricultural Company, Farley addressed a business conference about new abattoir technology designed to process older cattle. He stated, "This plant is designed to process old cows. So the old cows that become non-productive, instead of making a decision to either let her die in the paddock or put her in the truck ... this gives us a chance to take non-productive animals off and put them through the processing system. So it's designed for non-productive old cows. Julia Gillard's got to watch out." Media reports at the time noted that the audience responded with sustained laughter.
Farley later claimed the comments were intended to be "tongue-in-cheek" and taken out of context, but they have sparked renewed criticism as he enters the political arena. The Farrer byelection, scheduled for 9 May, marks a significant test for One Nation's rising public support and the Liberal Party under Angus Taylor, following Ley's exit after 25 years representing the southern New South Wales seat.
Pauline Hanson's Full Support and Defence
Pauline Hanson, leader of One Nation, has vehemently defended Farley, dismissing the uproar over the 14-year-old remarks. In a statement to Guardian Australia, Hanson said, "Get over it. This is a country with serious issues on our plate and journalists want to trawl through 14-year-old, tongue-in-cheek comments? I fully back David Farley and his comments." She argued that the comments were "mild" compared to the sentiments within the agriculture industry at the time, referencing the Labor government's six-month ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia, a decision later ruled invalid in a 2020 court challenge.
Hanson made these remarks at an announcement event on Saturday, where she was joined by Nationals defector Barnaby Joyce, who has his own history with sexist commentary against Gillard. Joyce attended a 2011 rally where Coalition figures, including then opposition leader Tony Abbott, stood before signs depicting Gillard with the slogan "ditch the witch."
Political Reactions and Broader Implications
The Liberal shadow minister for women, Melissa McIntosh, labelled Farley's comments as "inappropriate" and called for him to clarify them. Meanwhile, the Liberals have yet to nominate a candidate for the byelection, while the Nationals are finalising preselection. Labor is not expected to run, with Hanson claiming that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese "does not want to be shown up to be on the downward slope" and anticipates a lower vote than previously.
This controversy highlights ongoing issues of sexism in Australian politics, as Gillard faced repeated derogatory remarks during her tenure as the country's first female leader. The Farrer byelection thus becomes not only a battleground for party support but also a flashpoint for discussions on respectful political discourse and the legacy of past controversies in current campaigns.
