Home > Budget Paper No. 2 > Part 2: Expense Measures > Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Part 2: Expense Measures (Continued)

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Australian wine industry — support

Expense ($m)
	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	-	1.4	1.1	-	-
Australian Bureau of Statistics	-	0.2	0.2	-	-
Total - Expense	-	1.6	1.3	-	-

The Government will provide $2.9 million over two years to improve support for the Australian wine industry. Funding of $2.1 million over two years will enable the Wine Australia Corporation to undertake new marketing activities to assist in improving the sales and profitability of the industry. In addition, the Australian Bureau of Statistics will receive $0.4 million over two years to continue the wine statistics survey for two years while the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences will receive $0.4 million in 2012‑13 to undertake a benchmark analysis of production and financial performance of the wine grape growing industry.

See also the related revenue measure titled Wine equalisation tax — protecting the integrity of the wine producer rebate.

Australian Year of the Farmer — contribution

Expense ($m)
	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	-	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide $1.3 million in 2011‑12 for projects that recognise and promote the significant role played by agricultural groups to mark the Australian Year of the Farmer in 2012.

The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resourcing of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Climate Change Adjustment Program (Transitional Income Support) — redirection

Expense ($m)
	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	-	-	-	-	-

The Government redirected $1.3 million in 2011‑12 from Australia's Farming Future — Climate Change Adjustment Program (Transitional Income Support). The reduction of $1.3 million reflects lower than anticipated demand in the program.

Savings from this measure were redirected to support other government priorities.

Funding for this measure was included as a 'decision taken but not yet announced' in the Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2011‑12.

Drought Assistance — additional funding for Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grants

Expense ($m)
	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	-	-	-	-	-

The Government will provide additional funding of $0.9 million in 2011‑12 for the Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant program.

The additional funding is required to meet higher than expected demand following the announced closure of the program to new applicants on 10 August 2011.

The cost of this measure will be met from within existing resourcing of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Further information can be found in the press release of 10 August 2011 issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Drought Assistance — Transitional Farm Family Payment — extension

Expense ($m)
	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	-	12.0	7.7	-	-
Department of Human Services	0.3	1.5	1.4	-	-
Total - Expense	0.3	13.5	9.0	-	-

The Government will provide $22.8 million over three years to extend the Transitional Farm Family Payment program, previously known as the Transitional Income Support program, for two years until 30 June 2014.

The program provides eligible farm families experiencing hardship with up to 12 months of income support payments equivalent to the Newstart Allowance. Eligibility criteria for assistance includes a similar income test to the Newstart Allowance and a limit on the net value of assets of $1.5 million.

The funding includes $3.1 million over three years for the Department of Human Services to deliver the program.

Further information can be found in the press release of 27 April 2012 issued by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations — reduced funding

Expense ($m)
	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	-2.9	-	-	-	-

The Government reduced funding for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (UNFAO) program in 2011‑12 by $2.9 million.

Australia's UNFAO membership is not affected by this measure.

Savings from this measure were redirected to support other Government priorities.

Reforming Australia's Biosecurity System — maintaining core biosecurity operations

Expense ($m)
	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	-	38.2	38.6	32.6	31.0
Department of the Treasury	-	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4
Department of Finance and Deregulation	-	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Department of Health and Ageing	-	-	-	-	-
Total - Expense	-	38.6	39.0	33.0	31.5
Related capital ($m)
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	-	1.0	1.0	-	-
Department of the Treasury	-	-	-	-	-
Department of Finance and Deregulation	-	-	-	-	-
Total - Capital	-	1.0	1.0	-	-

The Government will provide $144.3 million over four years to maintain funding for core biosecurity operations and to continue progress on reforming Australia's biosecurity system.

This measure includes funding to maintain the current level of quarantine border protection activities; commence urgent infrastructure work on information and communications technology to support current biosecurity operations; and implement the new biosecurity legislation.

See also the related capital measure titled Reforming Australia's Biosecurity System — new Post‑Entry Quarantine facility in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio.

Western Australia Drought Pilot — additional funding for Farm Family Support

Expense ($m)
	2011‑12	2012‑13	2013‑14	2014-15	2015-16
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry	1.7	-	-	-	-

The Government provided an additional $1.7 million in 2011‑12 for the Farm Family Support program, which is a component of the 2011‑12 Budget measure titled Drought policy reform — pilot of new measures in Western Australia — extension and expansion.

The Farm Family Support program assists farmers and their families facing temporary financial hardship to meet basic household expenses.

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