One Nation candidate contesting Sussan Ley’s seat likened Julia Gillard to ‘non-productive old cow’ | One Nation

Pauline Hanson’s byelection candidate for the seat of Sussan Ley likened former prime minister Julia Gillard to an “unproductive old cow” who needed to be destroyed before suggesting the comments were sarcastic.

Agricultural businessman David Farley was named on Saturday as the One Nation candidate in the May 9 by-election for Farrer, which Ley has held for 25 years.

The race, a critical first test of the party’s growing public support and the Liberals led by Angus Taylor, was triggered by Ley quitting parliament last month following his sacking as Liberal leader.

Farley, 69, is an irrigation worker living in Narrandera, father of three daughters and grandfather of seven.

In 2012, as chief executive of the Australian Agricultural Corporation, he cited the then Labor leader when talking about the destruction of cows using new slaughterhouse technology.

“This plant is designed to process old cows,” Farley told a business conference, referring to a facility designed to kill old cows to produce cheap meat and add value to farmers from aging cattle.

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“So those older cows that have become unproductive, rather than either letting it die in the paddock or putting it in the truck… it gives us a chance to take those animals that are not productive and put them into the processing system.

“So it’s designed for old cows that aren’t productive. Julia Gillard needs to be careful.”

Media reports stated that the comment was met with sustained laughter from the audience.

Farley claimed at the time that the comments were “meant in jest” and taken out of context.

He was named as One Nation’s candidate for Farrer at an announcement event on Saturday, where Hanson and Nationals running back Barnaby Joyce were also present.

As the country’s first female leader, Gillard has repeatedly faced sexist comments. Joyce attended an infamous rally outside the Houses of Parliament in 2011; Coalition figures, including then opposition leader Tony Abbott, stood in front of signs bearing Gillard’s likeness and the slogan “get rid of the witch”.

Hanson defended his candidate on Sunday, telling Guardian Australia the comments were “mild” compared to how the farming industry was feeling at the time.

“Remember. This is a country with serious problems, and journalists want to screen for sarcastic comments from a 14-year-old boy?” he said.

“I fully support David Farley and his comments.”

Hanson said the public should consider why these comments were made; This was in the context of the then Labor government banning live cattle exports to Indonesia for six months. This decision was later challenged in court in a cattle industry class action lawsuit in 2020 and was ruled invalid.

“I think the comments were pretty tame compared to what the industry was actually feeling at the time,” Hanson said.

Melissa McIntosh, the Liberals’ shadow minister for women, described the comments as “inappropriate”.

He told Guardian Australia: “Mr Farley’s comments about former prime minister Gillard were inappropriate. It is Mr Farley’s responsibility to clarify these remarks.”

Ley held the southern New South Wales seat for 25 years, having won it from the Nationals when former leader Tim Fisher retired from politics in 2001.

While the Liberals have not yet nominated a candidate, the National Party is expected to wrap up its primary on Sunday.

Labor is not expected to work. Hanson claimed on Saturday that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “doesn’t want to be dragged down”.

“He knows very well that he will get a lower vote than last time.”