Riverina farmers have taken exception to the Meat and Livestock Association’s (MLA) sponsorship of a float in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
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Cattle and sheep producers must pay the MLA a transaction levy on the sale of their livestock, contributing to a pool of funds the peak body used to fund a float promoting lamb.
Gundagai cattle farmer Deb Payton supports gay rights but criticised the MLA spending members’ money on political causes.
“It's ridiculous that MLA money would be spent on entry to mardi gras without consent of members,” Ms Payton said.
“People have no choice but to contribute fees to MLA and we rarely see what happens with that money, so to see them funding something so far removed from their core business is very disappointing.”
Farmer and conservative Wagga councillor Paul Funnell claimed MLA marketers were having a ball at producers’ expense.
“To say this is a marketing exercise is a load of garbage, they won’t sell one more sausage or lamb cutlet because someone saw their float,” Cr Funnell said.
“I’m not anti-gay, if the MLA wants to have a party they can knock themselves out, but they can pay for it themselves.
“As a grower I'm fed up with the left-wing political correctness agenda being forced on us.”
In a statement, MLA’s head of marketing Andrew Howie said the float was in keeping with the lamb brand “of bringing everyone together in celebration”.
“We are informed by consumer insight and data in all of our marketing activities – and it is about continuing to make lamb relevant to a diverse, modern Australia in order to grow demand and increase returns to levy payers,” Mr Howie said.
“The parade continues to champion unity and inclusivity – so it made perfect sense for lamb to join in the celebration. Plus, it’s not a party without lamb on the menu.”
Wagga lesbian Gabbi Mitton encouraged MLA’s activism, claiming companies ought to play a significant role shaping public opinion due to their large following.
“I don't see why (MLA) would hold back support when gay marriage is the direction we're heading in,” Ms Mitton said.
“It’s a profit making exercise, but it’s still a welcome initiative because some people just need to see mainstream support.”
