October 18, 2012

More than 250 farmers, agribusinesses and government representatives will converge on Canberra next week for the National Farmers’ Federation 2012 National Congress.

The Congress will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport Arena on October 22-23.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott will be among the guest speakers.

Other highlights include addresses from:

  • Senator Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry;
  • David Thomas of Think Global Consulting;
  • Dr Johan Van Der Brink of the South African Institute for Bio-diversity;
  • Pete Williams of Deloitte’s Centre for the Edge;
  • Patrick Medley of IBM Global Business Services, and
  • Stefan Hajkowicz of CSIRO Futures.

A Parliamentary panel, featuring Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Sid Sidebottom, Shadow Agriculture Minister John Cobb MP,  Greens leader Senator Christine Milne, and Indepedent MP Robert Oakeshott will consider the topic: “What is the one critical issue facing Australian agriculture and what policy decision is required to address it?”

Other topics to be covered during the Congress include the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, mining and coal seam gas, foreign investment and technology, innovation and research and development.

Also, the initial findings of the NFF-led, industry-wide Blueprint for Australian Agriculture will be released.

Registrations close at 5:00pm tomorrow (Friday, October 19).

For information, or to register, visit the Congress website.