Brett Raguse (Forde, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to make a few comments today; I will certainly ask a question of the minister but I will make just a few statements up-front. I think people would understand the electorate of Forde, which is an electorate near a capital city but one that is very diverse. It has the combination of a very high density urban area to the north and also, to the south, very large rural holdings. For me it is very interesting to balance those differences within the community.

Our minister is widely travelled and I am pleased to say that he has been to my electorate on a number of occasions. More importantly, in recent times—just last week, in fact—he attended a number of meetings. This is something I am going to reflect on.

I want to re-emphasise aspects of the budget and how they will help communities like those in the seat of Forde and the larger rural holdings as well. I believe this budget provides a major boost to the government’s plans for modern, competitive food production industries in Australia in the face of a growing food crisis. Of course, the production of food is very important. We understand certainly in our community that it is of major consequence; we also understand its consequence for some developing nations, and their concerns. Major initiatives to receive funding include the $35 million Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program. This delivers on a key election commitment. This program is part of the government’s commitment to nurture the growth of regional food industries and expand the use of new technology. As the minister has previously said, this is about looking right along the production line, not just in the paddock, to see where we can achieve best productivity gains through innovation. It is particularly important in my electorate of Forde.

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