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

When it was suggested that I could answer a question about the threats to agricultural productivity, I took the high road and I decided to not comment on the threats that sit over on the opposition. But now, with all this feedback I'm getting, maybe I'll have to drop the script and revise the answer.

It will come as no surprise that one of the major threats to the industry—this is serious—is the risk of exotic animal diseases entering the country from overseas. We've implemented a three-pronged approach to help protect industry by supporting Indonesia to deal with their outbreak, strengthening our borders and ensuring we are prepared should an outbreak occur. It's really good to see cattle prices at sales across the country beginning the rebound in spite of the fearmongering we saw from those opposite over the last couple of months.

Another serious threat is the impact that climate change is having on farming, as natural disasters are more fierce and more frequent. Supporting the sector to adapt and improve its climate resilience is imperative to our future food and fibre security. (Time expired)