Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing) Share this | Hansard source

Australian farmers are the backbone of our nation, and their contribution extends far beyond putting food on our tables. In my electorate of Capricornia, over 73,900 people are directly employed in the agriculture sector. The dominant form of farming here is cattle production, with 768 dedicated cattle graziers working the land to sustain our thriving beef industry. Farmers across Capricornia contributed an astounding $1.88 billion in gross value product for the 2023-24 financial year, but that's just the beginning.

This industry alone employs 270,000 Australians, and nearly 37 per cent of those workers are outside our major cities. These aren't just numbers. They represent how agriculture is the lifeblood of rural communities. It sustains families, businesses and entire regions. Our farmers ensure Australia's food security, and without them we would be far more vulnerable to global shocks and supply chain disruptions. The hard work of our farmers doesn't end in the paddock; it continues when they come together to share knowledge and advance their industry.

Beef2024—these events are held every three years—is one such event that attracts graziers not only from across Australia but from across the globe. This year the impact of Beef2024 on the Rockhampton region was nothing short of remarkable, injecting an astounding $102 million into the local economy. This event showcases the critical role agriculture plays in supporting local businesses, creating jobs and driving economic growth in our community.

However, the importance of the agriculture industry is lost on a government who bows to the loud voices in the inner city. Since taking office, the Albanese Labor government has consistently targeted regional Australia with policies that have hit our farmers hard. As the backbone of our agriculture sector, they are now facing increased challenges due to Labor's misguided approach. Rather than offering the support needed to sustain the industry that feeds both Australia and the world, Labor's decisions have led to greater uncertainty and instability and mounting pressure on our farmers.

One of the most detrimental actions taken by the Albanese Labor government was scrapping the agriculture visa. Industry leaders have made it clear that Australian agriculture is in desperate need of more workers, with an estimated shortfall of 172,000 people. Despite these warnings, Labor's decision has left farmers without the necessary workforce to keep operations running smoothly. The government's heavy reliance on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme has only worsened the situation. Additionally, Labor proposed a fresh food tax which would force farmers to bear the financial responsibility for biosecurity risks introduced by international competitors.

Labor's assault on farmers extends beyond workforce challenges, more red tape and taxes. They are also undermining the critical infrastructure that supports water security and boosts agricultural productivity. By stripping billions of dollars from vital water infrastructure projects, Labor is putting the future of Australian agriculture at risk. In their first budget, Labor stripped $483 million of funding from the Urannah Dam, a project which would deliver water security for Central Queensland farmers.

Yet the blatant hypocrisy of the Labor Party is to rush to Rookwood Weir only weeks ago to officially open this coalition-funded project. It's ironic that Labor pretends to support water projects one week, then the next week axes 970 gigalitres from Urannah Dam, killing off water security for 20,000 hectares of prime agricultural land. Those opposite are quick to cut the ribbon on coalition-funded projects but refuse to invest in the very initiatives that could drive growth in our regions. These cuts are not just an attack on our farmers but an attack on the entire agricultural supply chain. Every dollar invested in water projects brings exponential returns, ensuring that our farmers can continue to thrive, even during challenging weather conditions. By pulling funding from these essential initiatives, Labor is not only jeopardising the livelihoods of farmers but also threatening the stability of rural communities and the broader Australian economy.

Australian farmers are staring down the barrel of a government who doesn't care for the work they do to create jobs and growth, while also driving up the cost of every Australian's grocery bill. Labor's agriculture policies are nothing short of shameful, reckless and blatantly ideological. As I did today at the National Farmer Rally, and as I have done every day of my four terms as the member for Capricornia, I will stand with farmers and fight to keep farmers farming.

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