Hanson attack over dairy

Pauline Hanson has launched a blistering attack on the Morrison Government over its "pathetic" handling of the dairy industry.

The One Nation leader on December 2 introduced a bill to make the competition watchdog determine a floor price for milk. Senator Hanson tried to bring on her legislation for immediate debate, but the government opposed the move.

The motion was knocked back after a 36-all tie, with Labor and the Greens supporting Senator Hanson.

"You are so blinded, so bloody minded that you are prepared to actually destroy the dairy industry in Australia," she told parliament.

Senator Hanson repeated calls for Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie to resign, accusing her of favouring dairy farmers in her home state of Victoria.

"She has been pathetic in her handling of this," the One Nation leader said.

"This is all about protecting her own interests, not about the farmers out there.

"She said the government had changed the proposed dairy code of conduct to protect processors’ profits.

"They don’t give a damn about our dairy industry — it’s all smoke and mirrors," said.

The mandatory code of conduct is being finalised after a third and final round of consultation ended last month. The issue inflamed tensions within the Nationals, with Senator Hanson persistently calling for the industry to be re-regulated.

"Get the bloody guts to stand up as an individual and represent your constituency and the people of this nation because they feel as though they’ve been absolutely forgotten," she told Coalition senators.

The One Nation leader said she had met with dairy industry figures who told her the code doesn’t go far enough to protect farmers.

Labor pledged to ask the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission to look at a floor price for milk before the election. Tasmanian independent senator Jacqui Lambie sided with One Nation, while Centre Alliance senators and South Australian Cory Bernardi backed the government.