AgForce Queensland will try to position the state’s rural sector at the forefront of political debate over the coming month with the launch of ’Agriculture – 30 Issues, 30 Days’, a new campaign designed to highlight issues it believes require urgent attention from policy makers.
The campaign, which will be launched on Tuesday, July 23 at the Mount Isa Civic Centre, will feature an issue a day for 30 days which the organisation says must be considered by both State and Federal Government to ensure the ongoing viability of agriculture in Queensland.
The campaign will include a number of face-to-face meetings between AgForce representatives and key industry stakeholders with primary producers in addition to an innovative online campaign based on the AgForce Queensland website, social media and video messaging.
AgForce General President, Ian Burnett, said the ’30 Issues, 30 Days’ concept would clearly outline the leading State and Federal policy areas of importance to agriculture and its ongoing ability to both prosper and contribute to greater society.
“As we have heard, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott have both called for a real Federal Election campaign which addresses ‘real’ issues,” Mr Burnett said.
“The ’30 Issues, 30 Days’ campaign will touch on the real issues impacting on primary production and be very clear about what we expect from Government, both State and Federal, in terms of the policy they set.
“We hear a lot of rhetoric from politicians about agriculture being a key consideration but these assertions must be followed up with policies that support productivity and profitability.”
Over the course of the campaign, one issue will be released each day.
Key information about this issue will be placed on a custom-designed webpage along with audiovisual clips and media information.
Social media will be used to further promote the issue and target the message at decision makers.
Case studies of real primary producers explaining how issues and policies impact on their lives and businesses will also be published.
“This format is a great way for AgForce, on behalf of our members and the Queensland rural sector, to connect with politicians and the broader community so as to raise awareness of the challenges our industry faces,” Mr Burnett said.
“However it’s also a chance to showcase some of our stories and to show all of Queensland how instrumental agriculture is to producing food and fibre for our communities and to contributing to the societal make up and economy of the state.”
For further information and to find a full list of events across the 30 days go to AgForce’s website
Daily updates can also be found at the AgForce Facebook page or Twitter hashtag #30issues30days
