The Federal Budget saw some benefits to Australia’s growers. Workforce, trade and biosecurity were big winners with major funding announcements for each.
Some of the highlights include –
- The Federal Budget increases direct spending within the agriculture related portfolios by $850 million. This comes after an increase of $1.27 billion in the October 2020 budget.
- $8.4 million to improve collection, analysis and forecasting of agricultural labour force data.
- $3.6 million for Fair Farms program to promote fair employment practices in horticulture.
- $198.2 million to support Australian export businesses by increasing Australia’s presence at the WTO, and advocacy and coalition building on international trade matters with likeminded countries.
- $371 million over four years for Australia’s biosecurity
A more detailed breakdown of the budget and its announcements for Australian agriculture is below -
Workforce
- $10.1 million for a pilot AgUP program to co-fund industry initiatives that build skills and enhance career pathways in farming.
- $8.4 million to improve collection, analysis and forecasting of agricultural labour force data.
- $5.3 million for AgCAREERSTART program to incentivise school leavers to undertake farm placements.
- $3.6 million for Fair Farms program to promote fair employment practices in horticulture.
- $1.3 million in R&D into attraction and retention of agricultural workers.
- $1 million to develop resources for farmers to implement modern workplace practices.
- $285 million for stronger skills for skills reform to establish 15 industry-owned Skills Enterprises (agriculture being one industry).
Trade
- $198.2 million to support Australian export businesses by increasing Australia’s presence at the WTO, and advocacy and coalition building on international trade matters with likeminded countries.
- The Federal Government has provided an additional $15 million to increase the Australian presence in international standard setting bodies, such as the UN Food and Agriculture
- Organisation, to put forward the Australian position on matters relating to animal welfare, sustainability, and ag-vet chemicals.
- $38.1 million has been provided to continue building the partnership with Indonesia under the Regional Cooperation Arrangements (security focussed but has trade implications).
- $37.4 million over three years to modernise Australia’s trade systems to improve cost and efficiency.
Biosecurity
- $96.9 million to management of hitchhiker cargo pest through ports
- $67.4 million to improving Australia’s preparedness and response capabilities
- $58.6 million to measures to prevent African swine fever through increased frontline screening
- $25.5 million to modern technologies to speed the early detection of pest and disease
- $96.8 million to early detection technologies and processes beginning offshore
- $31.2 million to increased screening of international mail including use of 3D X-ray technologies
- $34.6 million to improve R&D and analytics to better understand how pests and disease enters Australia, and better field tools to detect them
- $28.7 million to increased screening of international aircraft and non-commercial maritime arrivals
- $19.5 million to investment in new screening technologies for people and goods at the border
- $3.9 million to education and community awareness of biosecurity
- A one-off $1.5 million payment to business case for improving cargo container risk
- $29 million to programs, in conjunctions with state governments to eradicate pest animals
Infrastructure
- Victoria: a new Melbourne Intermodal Terminal ($2 billion), and $17.5 million for Dairy Supply Chain road upgrades.
- A further $256.5 million has been allocated to the Building Better Regions Fund for local regional infrastructure.
- $189.6 million over five years for a Northern Australia Plan.
- An additional $28.6 million for the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy.
- $6.1 million over two years to establish the Rebuilding Regional Communities
Ag-vet chemicals
- $9 million to extend the Improved Access to Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals program to help farmers to gain improved access to safe and effective agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
Water
- $3.5 million for the ACCC to establish an expert panel on water market reform roadmap.
Financial resilience and viability
- $5.4 million to fund projects to improve price transparency in food and fibre supply chains.
- Additional $8.5 million for Rural Financial Counselling Services.
- Access for forestry to RIC loans via the Plantation Development Concessional Loans (not new funding).
Source: AUSVEG
