Beef over Robyn Clarke’s vegan aid in agricultural electorate

Farmers have slammed Murray-Wellington MLA Robyn Clarke for beginning her second term in parliament by backing a pro-vegan organisation in one of the biggest agricultural electorates in the State. Less than a week after being re-elected in prime-farming territory, Mrs Clarke used her public Facebook to post about supporting a Greener Pastures Sanctuary online auction, which is a vegan organisation in Waroona that rescues farm animals. Mrs Clarke also promised the group $10,000 as an election commitment last month. The post and funding pledge has left people scratching their heads and has local farmers questioning where she stands on agricultural issues. Waroona farmer Eric Walmsley said he believed Mrs Clarke was “a little bit out of touch with the producing side of her electorate”. “Although I’m not against animal refuge homes, I was a little surprised when I found out she had endorsed an animal refuge home that had a person volunteering there who had been charged with trespassing and stealing animals,” Mr Walmsley said. Mr Walmsley called for Mrs Clarke to spend more time working with local farmers. “I’d love for her to come and talk to us and get our perspectives and work through the problems we have,” he said. Brunswick dairy farmer Michael Partridge called for more of a “balance”. Mr Partridge said while he had nothing against vegans, there was a difference between rescuing animals and promoting veganism and hoped Mrs Clarke was not actively involved in “promoting minority and more radical views”. “Mainstream farmers take animal welfare very seriously,” he said, “We wouldn’t want to see the government promoting more minority lifestyle views, it’s not a place for them or its representatives.” Brunswick farmer Mark Talbot questioned where Mrs Clarke stood on agricultural issues. “If she is going to support that organisation — that’s fantastic, but she should be standing up for the dairy industry, beef industry and live export too,” Mr Talbot said. He said the electorate was full of feedlots and livestock and called for more funds to be directed to farming industries. Mr Talbot was concerned public funds were being used to promote anti-agricultural views. Mrs Clarke’s office was contacted twice for comment, but both times went unanswered.