Farmsafe Australia has been given $1.9 million by the Federal Government for awareness and education campaigns.
The funding fulfils an election promise by the Liberal and National parties before the last Federal poll.
“We need to help our farmers, farm workers and their families protect themselves from risks when operating machinery, farm vehicles and the like,” Agriculture Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie said.
“This funding will support Farmsafe Australia to provide farm businesses and families with practical and impactful tools and support to make farms safer – be it local activities, conferences, online or delivered to the palm of their hands via a mobile application.”
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Who Are Farmsafe?
Farmsafe grew out of the establishment of a number of locally-based farm safety action groups and State Farmsafe committees in the late 1980s.
Today, Farmsafe Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation connecting various groups that share a common interest in agricultural health and safety.
In recent years, Farmsafe has raised awareness of key health and safety issues on Australian farms through social media and engagement with communities and stakeholders.
Its programs and activities are based on the philosophy the primary responsibility for farm safety rests with individual farmers, farm workers, and their families.
Farmsafe believes improving the availability of information on hazards, risk factors and practical safety solutions will help farming communities significantly reduce the risk of injury and illness associated with agricultural production.
Its members include the National Farmers Federation, Victorian Farmers Federation, SafeFarmsWA, Grain Growers, NSW Farmers, the Australian Centre for Agricultural Health and Safety, Safe Work Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Farmsafe Queensland and the Country Women’s Association of Australia.
