Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The Year of the Farmer comes at a time in agriculture, as National Farmers Federation President Jock Laurie has said, with 'improved seasonal conditions across most of Australia, favourable commodity prices, a weakening Australian dollar and a forecast that the value of farm exports is expected to rise some six per cent' and there has never been a better time to be an Australian farmer. I could not agree more.

There are, of course, challenges in the rural area but Australian agriculture has a bright outlook for 2012. In the face of international economic uncertainty our agriculture sector is demonstrating that this government is running a strong economy that is delivering for working people in rural communities. You only have to look at the numbers to see that Australian farmers and food producers are set for a positive year ahead. The ABARES report from the latest year contained good news for farmers, stating that for this financial year, our crop, fisheries and forestry exports are all due to increase. I am positive about the year ahead for Australian agriculture.

As a government we have a big reform agenda ahead of us, designed to prepare our farming sector for the future. Australian farmers are innovative. They are productive. They produce high-quality food and fibre. Our job as government is to deliver an environment and system that work for the benefit of farmers and to allow them to continue to produce and grow. This government stands for increasing skills, capacity and opportunity for Australians. (Time expired)