Dan Repacholi (Hunter, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) notes that the Government has been delivering for Australian farmers and producers, helping our nearly $100 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors continue to grow;

(2) acknowledges the Government has:

(a) recorded 169 market access achievements since July 2022, including:

(i) 22 new markets opened;

(ii) 66 improvements to reduce cost or requirements to export;

(iii) 72 achievements to maintain access in the face of threats to trade; and

(iv) nine achievements to restore access that was previously lost; and

(b) invested over $1 billion to ensure our biosecurity system is sustainable long term, ensuring our world-class system stays that way;

(3) further notes the dire state that our agriculture workforce was in under the previous Government, and acknowledges the work the Government has done to fix these issues, including:

(a) establishing the tripartite Agricultural Workforce Working Group and starting up the Agriculture Labour Taskforce; and

(b) working with stakeholders to deliver a Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme that is beneficial and safe for workers, which has grown from around 8,000 workers in March 2020 to over 27,000 at the end of 2024; and

(4) notes the Opposition's inaction on climate change reduced farm profitability, and acknowledges that the Government is investing in a sustainable agriculture sector by:

(a) delivering the first ever joint Agriculture Ministers' Statement on Climate Change;

(b) developing the first Agriculture and Land Sector Plan to chart the path for the industry to actively contribute to net-zero by 2050;

(c) investing $1.1 billion in the current round of the Natural Heritage Trust, including $302.1 million in climate-smart agriculture programs;

(d) investing $63.8 million to support the sector to act on climate and reduce emissions;

(e) committing $519.1 million over the next four years from the Future Drought Fund to ensure programs promote long-term drought and climate resilience; and

(f) ensuring our forestry industry remains sustainable, expanding our plantation estate and continuing support for our native forestry sector, in addition to supporting innovation and advanced manufacturing for wood products.

One thing that we humans cannot live without is food, and it is because of one dedicated group of people that we can source food in this country: our farmers. Every time we sit down for a meal, we should be grateful for the tireless work of Aussie farmers. Our farmers deserve more than just words. They deserve a government that delivers real action, not just politicians donning an Akubra or a puffer vest for a photo op. Playing dress-ups does nothing to truly support those who feed our nation.

Over the last term, this government has been steadfast in its commitment to Australian farmers, working to grow our nearly $1 billion agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries, and the results are clear. Since July 2022, we have achieved 169 market access wins, including opening 22 new markets, implementing 66 improvements to reduce export costs and requirements, securing 72 achievements to maintain access despite trade threats, and restoring nine previously lost trade opportunities. These numbers tell a powerful story: progress, investment and opportunity for Australian farmers and producers.

A thriving agriculture sector requires protection. That's why our government has invested over $1 billion to ensure that Australia's biosecurity system remains world class. We saw the importance of these investments firsthand with the outbreak of avian influenza last year. Thanks to our robust biosecurity measures, Australia remains the only continent free from the devastating avian influenza. But we are not complacent. We are stepping up our national preparedness to safeguard our industries from future threats.

A strong agriculture sector needs a strong workforce. Under the previous government, the agriculture workforce was in crisis. The previous government ignored the warning signs, leaving us to clean up the mess. We took immediate action, establishing the tripartite Agricultural Workforce Working Group; creating the agriculture labour taskforce; and strengthening the PALM scheme, growing participation from 8,000 workers in March 2020 to over 27,000 by the end of 2024. Without a skilled and reliable workforce, the entire agriculture sector suffers. That's why we continue to invest in training, TAFE and job opportunities.

But we cannot ignore the challenges posed by climate change. Droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, yet the previous government chose to ignore these challenges, leading to reduced farm profitability. We take a different approach. We delivered the first ever joint agriculture ministers statement on climate change. We developed the first Agriculture and Land Sectoral Plan to help the industry reach net zero by 2050. We invested $1.1 billion into the Natural Heritage Trust, including $302.1 million for climate-smart agricultural programs. We committed $519.1 million over the next four years from the Future Drought Fund to enhance climate resilience. These actions are not just about today. We are about securing the future for Australia's agricultural sector.

Australia's agriculture exports are at record highs thanks to our government's work in opening new markets and restoring key trade relations. We export over 70 per cent of our agricultural, fishery and forestry products to 169 global markets, the most diversified trade portfolio in history. We're restoring trade relations with China, leading to the removal of $20 billion in trade barriers. We're ensuring Australian live rock lobsters return to the Chinese dining table. We supported record red-meat exports and a booming aquaculture industry. Our government understands that strong trade means strong farmers and a strong economy.

To further strengthen the sector, we're re-investing $500 million from the National Reconstruction Fund for agriculture, forestry, fishery, food and fibre. We're also tackling workforce shortages head on with over 22,100 enrolments in agriculture related fee-free TAFE courses from January 2023 to September 2024, strengthening the PALM scheme, increasing its workforce and allocating $1.9 million to attract Australians to the workforce. This government is taking action and supporting the agricultural sector. We need to stick with a government that does, and that's what the Labor government is here to do. We support farmers, we support workers and we support our food, fibre and forestry industries.

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