The NSW Nationals Party has not been given a single speaking role at a major farming industry event, eight months out from the state election.
The NSW Farmers’ 2026 Annual Conference began at Rosehill Racecourse Gardens in Sydney on Tuesday, with those asked to speak at the event including Premier Chris Minns and two of his cabinet colleagues, Energy and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe and Agriculture and Regional New South Wales Minister Tara Moriarty.
Opposition Leader and Liberal leader Kellie Sloane, who is fighting to boost her profile and overturn the minority Minns government in March, was also asked to speak.
Nationals MPs have told Sky News they are disappointed the party, which says it “puts regional people first”, was not given a speaking role, despite having a slot for the past three years.
Former leader Dugald Saunders took on that responsibility since 2023.
Current party leader Gurmesh Singh, who also serves as Shadow Minister for Regional New South Wales, and represents the seat of Coffs Harbour, has told Sky News he’s “disappointed” by the decision.
“As a farmer myself, and having been involved in New South Wales Farmer’s on their committees before politics, I would have loved to have been given the opportunity to speak in front of them today,” Mr Singh said.
“I would still take it up now, even at short notice.
“People do want to hear from the Nationals, that’s something that they are telling us. We would have loved to talk about our 25 per cent regional infrastructure guarantee, our $300 million biosecurity commitment also.”
The majority of the Nationals party room has been in attendance across the two day conference.
“There is a fair bit of crossover between the membership of New South Wales Farmers Association and the membership of the Nationals obviously. There is a little bit of disappointment out there across the membership,” Mr Singh said.
“It is their prerogative.”
Shadow Agriculture Minister Brendan Moylan, who represents the seat of Northern Tablelands for the Nationals, also told Sky News he would have liked to have spoken.
“I understand they have a very full schedule and I continue to work with all branches in my electorate,” he said.
Party sources say members of the New South Wales Farmers Association have also voiced their concerns to Nationals MPs, given the politicians who oversee portfolios that impact the farming sector and regional Australia could change in 2027.
Key issues discussed at this year’s conference include food, fuel and fertiliser security as well as the state’s energy transition and the level of consultation surrounding renewable projects. Recent firearm reforms, introduced in the wake of the Bondi terror attack will also be discussed as well as land tax and the state’s drought response.
In eight months, Nationals MPs are expected to face a fierce fight to hold onto their seats against the rising popularity of One Nation.
Recent polling in Nine Newspapers shows almost half of the state’s voters are planning to abandon the major parties next year.
Both the Coalition and Labor have recorded their lowest support in New South Wales since at least 2021.
Chris Minns’ Labor party has the support of an estimated 29 per cent of voters, the Coalition has 23 per cent and One Nation has 25 per cent. If a state election were held today, the Greens would attract an estimated 11 per cent of votes and 12 per cent of people would support independents or other parties.
The New South Wales Farmers Association did not provide a reason for the decision by the deadline.