Morale is "difficult" at the federal government's pesticides agency as staff worry about their future because of a controversial plan to relocate them from Canberra to regional northern NSW.
But Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce is keeping a tight hand on documents which apparently show his plan to shift dozens of Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority staff to Armidale, in his New England electorate, is not entirely beneficial.
Mr Joyce on Tuesday moved to prevent a cost-benefit analysis being disclosed to a Senate committee.
He made a public interest immunity claim arguing the document is still being considered by cabinet.
The deputy prime minister has been facing pressure over the relocation, a move criticised by farmers, industry and at least one of his coalition colleagues.
Labor has accused the deputy prime minister of "blatant" pork-barrelling.
There are concerns about the re-located agency's viability and whether it can attract dozens of crucial and hard-to-train regulatory scientists
Chief executive Kareena Arthy told a Senate estimates hearing only 14 staff have signalled a willingness to leave Canberra, with 110 others opposed.
As a result, morale was difficult, she said.
"Staff are naturally concerned ... about their future and their family."
The agency has lost 71 staff members since the start of the 2015/16 financial year.
Ms Arthy admitted she was concerned about the loss of regulatory scientists.
"I feel sorry for you Ms Arthy, I really do," Labor senator Glenn Sterle told the agency chief, labelling the relocation "off with the fairies".
The government is determined to proceed with the relocation.
"From our point of view the question is the way in which it's implemented, not whether it will be," Department of Agriculture boss Daryl Quinlivan said.
Labor's agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon accused Mr Joyce of hiding behind immunity protections.
"His contempt for the sector knows no bounds," he told AAP.
Mr Fitzgibbon says if staff aren't there to approve chemicals, the decision will affect food prices, crops and the cause unnecessary pain and suffering for animals.
Mr Joyce said the coalition believed in decentralisation, spruiking positive feedback from other relocated agencies.
Moving the Grains Research and Development Corporation to Wagga Wagga would save $1.2 million, he said.
