In a statement, Mr Oakeshott said as part of a military training agreement with the Singaporean Government, the Department of Defence has begun a process of compulsory land acquisitions in North Queensland – and he entreated the Shire’s local member to change tack.

“The Leader of the National Party and Agriculture Minister, Barnaby Joyce, has not gone on record to support either the farmers who will lose their land, or to support the Department of Defence’s compulsory acquisitions,” former MP for Lyne, Mr Oakeshott said.

"The Australian government has failed to make the case to compulsorily acquire half a million acres of farming land as part of a military agreement with the Singapore government.

"This doesn't just affect abattoir workers and farmers in far north Queensland – this is an issue of national concern.” 

Mr Oakeshott asserted most Australians would not be aware of a military deal that involves Singapore soldiers to actively train within Australia, and for large amounts of farming land to be purchased to allow this to happen,

“This lack of transparency on military and trade deals, combined with a large loss of farming land near Townsville, makes this an issue for all of us, and for government, not just an issue for Townsville,” Mr Oakeshott said.

“The Nationals must be aware of this deal to give up farming land.  

“They are therefore guilty of choosing to keep this deal out of the public gaze of all Australians. They are also guilty of not fighting for the farmers and regional people whom they claim to represent.

“As a resident of the Mid North Coast, I only became aware of it when North Queenslanders began contacting local constituents in our region in search of advocacy. They are desperate for the Nationals, whom they voted for, to stick up for them.”

“The size of this sell-off deserves much more scrutiny, and I invite any Nationals member to tell us about what they have signed us all up to, and why they will be prioritising the Singapore army over our farmers.”