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

The Gillard Labor government is showing the leadership required to ensure Australia is ready for the Asian century. We are acting now to set Australia up for the future. The next steps we take will ensure an increasing participation in Asian markets. Future policies and programs will be Asian focused. We will also ensure agriculture growth is sustainable by making efficient use of our soil, water and energy. We will tap into the opportunities in northern Australia and in Tasmania. We will engage even more with our closest neighbours in Indonesia and work with emerging markets such as Thailand and Vietnam.

We know we have to invest in science and innovation to boost productivity right across Australia. We need to continue to improve farming techniques. As well as producing higher yields, we need to improve our irrigation system and plan better logistics and infrastructure. The white paper showcases the opportunities for Australia to benefit in the Asian century. (Time expired)