With just weeks before the Federal Budget is released GrainGrowers has issued a public reminder of the value of investing strongly in the grains sector, saying it is time for the government to deliver on its promise to build economic capacity and resilience.
GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said the government had been provided with a comprehensive pre-budget submission.
She said Board and staff had met on several occasions with the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt, other Labor Ministers, and government advisers to discuss the detail of the submission.
Ms Gawel said she was confident that the Minister was aware of the range of issues affecting the industry and would carefully consider what could be delivered in this budget.
“Our submission details significant funding initiatives across areas ranging from farm inputs, infrastructure, trade and market access, biosecurity, taxation and sustainability.
Importantly, everything outlined can potentially improve the overall operating environment for Australian grain growers.”
“We know that funding is tight, but budgets are always about delivering value, and we would argue that the requests offer a great return on government investment over the longer term.
Ms Gawel said the grains industry was a regional Australia powerhouse, with 22,500 farm businesses growing 65 million tonnes of grains, oilseeds and pulses each year and contributing over $20 billion gross value of production to the Australian economy.
“The government investment we are calling for can not only make a difference to growers and the wider industry but also deliver a significant return to the well-being of our regions and the national economy.”
She said the 2023 budget in early May was a significant opportunity for the government to show it was serious about supporting Australian agriculture.
The investments detailed in the GrainGrowers submission include:
A significant upgrade in funding for freight networks and regional roads, including $1 billion over four years through the Regional Infrastructure Recovery program; $800 million a year over four years for the Roads to Recovery program; $300 million per year over four years to address first and last mile freight productivity; and targeted funding through the Rods of strategic Importance program to improve the long-term climate resilience of freight networks.
Additional trade and market access funding including $85.9 million for the Agri-Business Expansion Initiative.
Increasing opportunities for domestic manufacture of fertiliser, chemicals, fuel, and spare parts.
Development of fit-for-purpose visa arrangements, inclusive of the skills requirements of the grains sector, and the allocation of funds for programs and infrastructure to deliver better safety outcomes for the grains sector.
Introducing initiatives that lower on-farm emissions, including loans that assist farmers to adopt emission reduction practices and activities.
Commissioning the investigation of the Australian grains industry and supply chain.
Implementing the National Biosecurity Strategy and establishing a sustainable funding model for biosecurity.
Maintaining matched government contributions for industry R&D levies.
Funding the recommendations of the 2021 RTIRC Report to deliver improved mobile and internet connectivity for grain farmers and the wider rural community.
Adopting the Productivity Commissions Right to Repair recommendations for agricultural machinery.
Media Contact:
Chris Rowley
P: 0415 140 253 | chris.rowley@graingrowers.com.au