National understanding of the local milk crisis

That is the view of WAFarmers dairy council president Michael Partridge who is confident WA dairy farmers will not be overlooked in any industry assistance packages.

Mr Partridge, WAFarmers chief executive officer Stephen Brown and Forrest MP Nola Marino, whose husband is a dairy farmer, represented WA at a national dairy industry symposium chaired by Mr Joyce in Melbourne on Thursday last week.

"We got to make a presentation (to Mr Joyce) and I'm confident he has a good understanding of our problems in WA," Mr Partridge said this week.

"While the (symposium) focus was predominantly on the world milk price and the Murray-Goulburn and Fonterra contracts in south-eastern Australia, we were pleased to present on issues facing the WA dairy industry on a national platform.

"The national implications of farmers having contracts dropped resonated nationally, as did the wider national implications of the decisions being made in WA.

"While the issues facing the WA dairy industry are significantly different from those in the eastern States, we were encouraged by the commitment to find a solution - and to safeguarding the livelihoods of Australia's dairy farmers and their families.

"While time will tell what the outcomes are, we believe the symposium was a very worthwhile exercise.

"We're very confident that the minister understands our specific problems and we will continue to work with him, the State government and industry to resolve the short and medium-term issues," Mr Partridge said.

He welcomed Mr Joyce's announcement at the symposium of more power to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for its recently-announced inquiry into the dairy industry.

More than 60 farmer organisations, processors, retailers and government representatives attended the symposium which focused on the situation and outlook for Australia's dairy industry.