June 16, 2020
The State Government has announced a $12.5 million funding package for Queensland’s agribusiness and food sector as part of its COVID-19 recovery plan.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the package on Tuesday as part of the second stage of the government’s “Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs” plan.
“At the last meeting of the Queensland Industry Recovery Alliance, AgForce told us that regional Queensland can do the heavy lifting in the recovery,” the Premier said.
“I absolutely agree.
“This $12.5 million funding package will provide an initial economic boost to the agribusiness and food sector, transition and transform it post COVID-19, and accelerate the State’s economic recovery.”
Initiatives funded under plan include:
- $5.5 million digital transformation in agribusiness – to develop integrated supply chains that improve traceability, biosecurity and food safety.
- $5 million reinvigorated agricultural trade relationships – to support e-commerce and virtual trade facilitation in key markets and assist coordination of demand for additional regular air freighter services.
- $2 million agribusiness diversification assistance – to build capability and explore potential diversification opportunities in agricultural businesses, including tourism.
AgForce Qld welcomed the funding announcement.
The group said a number of measures – such as boosting trade opportunities and digital technology – came out of a briefing AgForce provided the Premier earlier this year.
CEO Michael Guerin said he was pleased the Premier had been able to action AgForce’s recommendations.
“The Premier’s announcement reflects views expressed by both State and Federal governments that agriculture and regional communities will be pivotal to the nation’s economic recovery post-COVID,” he said.
“The $5.5 million for digital technology will increase efficiency and quality assurance in the industry while the $5 million will support producers access e-commerce platforms to sell goods overseas.”
Mr Guerin also welcomed the Premier’s commitment to providing further support measures.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the government on further measures as we look to strengthen agriculture as a powerhouse of the recovery effort,” he said.
