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STATEMENT BY
THE HONOURABLE WARREN TRUSS MP,
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY
22 MAY 2001
© Commonwealth of Australia 2001
ISBN 0642 45752-2
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth available from AusInfo. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Manager, Legislative Services, AusInfo, GPO Box 1920, Canberra ACT 2601.
Contents
Natural Heritage Trust
National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality
Quarantine
Agricultural Development Partnerships programme
New Industries Development Programme (NIDP)
National Food Industry Strategy
Rural Financial Counselling Service
Youth initiatives
Agricultural shows
Dairy farmers support
Australia's agricultural industries are vital to our national prosperity, in terms of exports, employment and as the economic foundations for our regional and rural communities. Australia's traditional strength as an exporter of primary produce continues to underpin national economic performance; this year, our primary industries will generate about $24 billion in export income.
Sustaining these industries demands sound economic management. Since 1996, the Coalition Government has provided a stable, pro-growth business environment, characterised by low interest rates, low inflation, a more flexible labour market and a tax system which rewards enterprise. Australia has enjoyed a sustained period of high growth on a scale not seen since the 1960s, and matched only by the performance of the United States.
The Government has also sought to redress the neglect of the previous Government in areas vital to agriculture. With the Agriculture - Advancing Australia (AAA) package, the Government introduced a comprehensive set of measures to strengthen agriculture. The AAA package, introduced in 1997 and extended in 2000, will inject more than $800 million into agricultural and fishing industries to support education and training, innovation and adjustment. This support complements the $180 million a year the Government devotes to research and development in the sector.
As successful as the AAA package has been, the Government recognises that the future of agriculture is dependent on more than measures to enhance competitiveness and efficiency. The magnificent natural resources which sustain our rural industries need to be managed properly. In many cases, these resources are under pressure. This is no more evident than in the gradual, corrosive spread of salinity. The Government has responded to these pressures through its creation of the Natural Heritage Trust and related programmes.
Our industries, and environment, also face the potential risk of the entry and establishment of exotic pests and diseases. While Australia has always operated a strict quarantine regime, the spread in Europe and Asia of such significant diseases as foot and mouth indicates that these dangers are increasing. Since 1997, the Government has increased funding to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) to address these risks.
This year's Budget extends the Government's already substantial commitments in these critical areas of natural resource management and biosecurity.
The 2001-02 Budget includes a further $1 billion for the Natural Heritage Trust and confirms the Government's $700 million commitment to the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. This funding complements already substantial funding for natural resource management available through other Federal government programmes.
Salinity is such a vast problem that it demands a nation-wide response - and the Federal Government has responded with the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality.
The Action Plan sets a new course for a targeted attack on salinity and water quality problems especially in the twenty most affected catchments across Australia.
The Federal Government will implement the strongest level of quarantine protection even seen in Australia to prevent the entry of exotic pests and diseases. The Federal Government sees the outbreak in the UK as a warning to all countries, including Australia, about the risks of this virulent disease.
The Federal Government strongly believes that regional, rural and remote Australia has a bright and prosperous future and is committed to working in partnership with the people and communities of regional Australia to ensure that regional Australia's enormous contribution to national economic and social wellbeing is recognised and enhanced.
All Australians can be justly proud of the enterprise and achievements of Australian farmers in what is an increasingly competitive world. International competition and other pressures will continue to challenge Australian farmers but will also present new opportunities for innovation, diversification and growth.