While the push for a royal commission into the Australian dairy industry has found support among some candidates for the Eden-Monaro by-election, another has called it a "hollow stunt".
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The Nationals' Trevor Hicks and the Greens' Cathy Griff clearly stated their support of such a commission, following Mr Hicks' announcement on Monday that if elected he will move a motion on the issue.
Mr Hicks, a cattle farmer from Captains Flat, said he was tired of seeing big multi-national companies take advantage of struggling dairy farmers.
"For too long we've seen our hard-working dairy farmers pushed aside and treated as second class citizens, while multi-national dairy processors and supermarkets keep the cream for themselves," he said.
Mr Hicks said he was prepared to cross the floor of parliament over the issue, and the royal commission would focus on the value chain, imported dairy products and water management, aspects of the industry Toothdale dairy farmer Phil Ryan called "very important focus areas".
"They are all things we've been calling for as dairy farmers to be added for a number of years now," Mr Ryan said.
"I absolutely welcome the initiative, and I call on the senior members of his [Mr Hicks'] party to make something happen.
"I think a royal commission into the retail duopoly is something all farmers would have an interest in, it's not just dairy farmers that are affected by having very few outlets for our products.
"My only concern with the royal commission is the amount of time it would take to deliver benefits."
Mr Ryan said dairy farmers already knew of actions that could help their industry, such as improving country of origin labelling.
But while Labor's candidate for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said dairy farmers needed support right now, she slammed the promise of a royal commission.
"Mr Hicks' call for a royal commission - something that the Coalition has ruled out - is nothing but a hollow stunt and will do nothing for farmers doing it tough right now," Ms McBain said.
"The only thing that will help dairy farmers in Eden-Monaro right now is to adopt Labor's proposal for the ACCC to set a minimum gate price for farmers.
"Every day Eden-Monaro dairy farmers wait for a royal commission report is another day that they miss out on action that can make a real difference to their livelihoods."
However, the Liberals' candidate for Eden-Monaro Fiona Kotvojs said the federal government has not ruled out a royal commission.
She said calling for one required evidence of malpractice - and if anyone has such evidence they should bring it forward.
"[The Morrison Government] has brought in a mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct to provide farmers with more information and strengthen their bargaining power," Dr Kotvojs said.
"We must monitor the impact that this has had, and respond quickly - particularly where dairy farmers have limited opportunity to sell their milk to other suppliers."
She said the federal government has already invested millions in supporting the industry, and if elected she will continue to work with the local dairy industry to build on this investment and develop a proactive strategy for better water and fodder storage.
"Most people would be willing to pay a bit more per litre in support of our struggling farmers," she said.
"We'd also support the inquiry being broadened to all primary producers and how the effect of the duopoly of big retail supermarkets has on the farming industry in general."