July 6, 2015
Federal MP Darren Chester has welcomed the new Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper and predicted it will deliver benefits to farming families across Gippsland.
Mr Chester said the focus on improving returns to farmers and opening up new markets around the world would give farmers more confidence to invest in the future of their businesses.
“The obvious highlight for Gippsland is the creation of the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund with $500 million for water infrastructure, including dams,” Mr Chester said.
“This is our best chance in a decade to secure Federal funds for the much needed future stages of the MID2030 irrigation infrastructure upgrade.
“I’ve already started working with the Minister to present the best possible case for Gippsland to secure a share of funding under this program and I’m keen to pursue other projects put forward by local industry representatives in the future.”
Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said the Water Infrastructure Ministerial Working Group had identified priority projects for funding – including the MID 2030 plan.
“There is a long and growing list of suggested sites and projects that could benefit from funding right across the country from managed aquifer recharge in the Northern Territory to Gippsland’s Macalister Irrigation District Southern Pipeline in Victoria,” Mr Joyce said.
The White Paper also identified $100 million for pest and weed management and eradication and a commitment to clearer country of origin food labelling.
The other key points in the White paper included:
• A $200 million biosecurity boost;
• $2.5 billion in concessional loan access to farmers;
• $11.4 million to establish an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Commissioner dedicated to agriculture, improving supply chain transparency;
• $13.8 million to arm farmers with knowledge and materials on alternative business models like cooperatives and collective bargaining;
• $30.8 million in new funding to help tackle technical barriers to trade, including promoting Australian products and helping us to understand what international customers want;
• $100 million investment in rural Research and Development (R&D); and,
• Income management assistance and tax incentives to invest in farm infrastructure.
The White Paper was informed by comprehensive stakeholder consultation—more than 1000 submissions were received and the government talked face-to-face with more than 1100 people across the country in developing this document.
The White Paper is available at agwhitepaper.agriculture.gov.au.
CAPTION: The Nationals Member for Gippsland MP Darren Chester has heralded the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, released on Saturday, saying it would provide a major boost for primary producers.
