February 10, 2014
Farmers and graziers have until April 17 to have a say on the future of Australian agriculture.
The Federal Government has released an issues paper for consideration ahead of the drafting of an Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper.
“The issues paper is an important opportunity for rural and regional communities to have their say on the issues currently facing agriculture,” Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said.
“This is a time of change and difficulty for farmers and graziers in the Wide Bay region and indeed, across Australia. There is no better time for people to have their say on how we can build a stronger agriculture sector in this region and across the nation, that delivers a greater return at the farm gate and for our country.
“Whether you crop, raise livestock, or work in a rural community, everyone has ideas about how we can go about improving our primary production industries. This is an important opportunity for anyone associated with rural industry in Wide Bay to do precisely that.”
The issues paper identifies key matters such as finance, competitiveness through the value chain, reducing inefficient regulation, enhancing agricultural exports and managing drought.
The issues outlined will guide the development of the White Paper.
“I have heard recently, many stories of hardship by primary producers, particularly during my recent trips through the electorate, but I have also heard positive things,” Mr Truss said.
“People in our communities have many good ideas about planning for the future. I would say to those people, get involved, use this opportunity to channel your ideas into the white paper process.
“Reinvigorating agriculture is a major part of the Federal Government’s plan to strengthen the five pillars of our economy. We need a stronger agricultural sector as part of our plan to generate jobs and deliver a more prosperous and robust economy.”
- For more information visit the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website
The drafting of the White Paper coincides with warnings by Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey that “the age of expecting government handouts” was over.
Mr Hockey last week rejected lobbying by Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce to increase the eligibility criteria for assistance to help drought-stricken Queensland farmers.
The Australian Financial Review reported that Mr Hockey had rejected a call from Queensland farmers to establish a rural reconstruction bank to help with debt restructuring, suggesting some farmers were in the wrong business.
“The answer to the problem of debt is not to have more debt,’’ he said.
“Interest rates are historically now are at all-time lows. If people are having problems coping with interest rates now, then there is a bigger systemic issue at play.”
