Busy policy agenda heightens need for strong rural groups

AS the newly elected the president of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation I would like to introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me.

Today is only my second full day in the job, but I have been involved with QFF since 2005 in my role as Chair of Cotton Australia and vice President of QFF.

My husband Jon and I have been farming irrigated cotton and broadacre crops on the border near Mungindi for 30 years and while every farm has its own challenges, many of the issues we face are parallel to those of other Queenslanders, regardless of whether it be on the southwest border like us, or north to the Atherton Tableland.

I look forward to my new role continuing to support and advocate for farmers when it comes to rural policy. The future of primary industries in this state and its place in Queensland’s economy is a key focus for me.

Striving toward a sustainable and profitable future and having rural and associated industries recognised as exciting and rewarding industries in which to be involved are key drivers for my involvement.

QFF has a full agenda when it comes to tackling issues that confront the intensive agricultural sector, which is the base that forms QFF’s membership.

The big issues include water policy and the looming draft Basin Plan, water prices, Great Barrier Reef management, the skills shortage, recovery from a horrible summer of natural disaster, our terms of trade, and the pressures and risks that are associated with the massive mining boom spreading across Queensland.

QFF must continue to put forward a positive message for the industry. This is a vital foundation for our lobbying efforts and ensuring that farmers continue to have access to important technology such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides and other chemicals, and that we aren’t trampled in the political debates around water, carbon pollution and animal liberation.

Therefore, industry organisations such as QFF and its members are as important today as ever when tackling current and emerging issues, as is farmer support for and interaction with these organisations.

Ultimately, the success of any rural group is correlated to the involvement of individual farmers.

Getting involved in your farm organisation is the best way to have your voice heard, and it delivers a benefit to the greater industry as well. It is a two-way street where farmers and the industry benefit from an increased level of engagement between organisations and on-farm.

With that in mind, I am excited about leading QFF, which is supported by such a strong and well-supported group of industry organisations, all of which are held in high regard by farmers.

Day to day, individual farmers may not hear about every win that a rural group achieves, but they can attest that the benefits on farm are substantial and that we would be lost without them.

I conclude by thanking my predecessor Gary Sansom, who has put in a long and dedicated effort over the last 10 years as president and will continue as a QFF councillor.

I also look forward to continuing to work with all of those at QFF and our membership.