Tuesday’s rally for Australian farmers lists seven priorities – but the biggest two are nowhere to be seen | Gabrielle Chan

The last time the National Farmers' Federation marched on Canberra politicians were carefully controlled. This time the agenda looks more useful for politicians than farmers

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In country circles, WhatsApp groups and emails have been pinging. As Tuesday dawns on the first rally endorsed by the National Farmers' Federation since 1985, there has been a bit of chat about its merits.

The 1985 rally descended on the Hawke government. It numbered 40,000 to 45,000 people and was duplicated at some state parliaments. In Victoria, according to the journalist Martin Flanagan, 30,000 people protested, holding placards such as farmer the new poor", Agricultural Income Deficiency Syndrome" and, my personal favourite, wife home working".

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