The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed Barnaby Joyce back to the Deputy Prime Ministership and to the Agriculture and Water Resources Portfolio.
NFF President Fiona Simson said Minister Joyce’s swearing in today ended a period of uncertainty.
“The farm sector certainly appreciated Prime Minister Turnbull assuming ‘caretaker’ responsibility for agriculture and water resources, however, we are pleased to have the portfolio under more permanent management.”
Ms Simson said the NFF looked forward to again working with Minister
Joyce towards the shared goal of advancing Australian agriculture.
“As Minister Joyce declared at the beginning of the year, the farm sector is currently basking in a golden era.
“Today’s national accounts figures clearly demonstrate this.
“The figures show the agriculture sector continues to excel with record crops underpinning rural goods export growth of more than 20 per cent through the year to the September quarter.
“However, now is not the time to be complacent.
“We must continue to build on these good times to assure the sector’s continued growth and prosperity.”
In 2016-2017 the sector achieved a record production value of $60 billion.
Ms Simson said the NFF was focused on the industry tallying $100 billion by 2030.
“To realise this we need the support of our Minister and importantly, we need action across a range of policy fronts.”
Ms Simson said among the peak body’s priorities for the Government in 2018 would be the adoption of an energy policy, the on time implementation of the Murray Daring Basin Plan; the development of effective labour hire settings; regional and rural digital connectivity and the the progression of preferential trade agreements.
Ms Simson also acknowledged the able representation of the sector by
Acting Agriculture and Water Resources Ministers Luke Hartsuyker MP and Senator Anne Ruston during the past five weeks.
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