Weekly Bulletin

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01 Feb 2010 WEEKLY BULLETIN February 1 2010

FARMERS DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP FOR REEF PRESERVATION
The release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) preliminary results of a survey that has examined farming practices affecting water quality in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area is welcome news for the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF). Announced in late December 2009, the results of the survey are based on information from landowners on a range of land management practices applied to agricultural land. The survey provides environmental researchers with the opportunity to see what is happening in different areas across all of the catchments and goes some way to demonstrating that farmers have taken real ownership in finding solutions to improving land management for water quality outcomes. The survey showed that many landholders have already moved to best practice. The challenge for the Australian Government’s Reef Rescue program is to further engage with farmers with access to further information that supports the need for more action. There is still a substantial need to draw a more direct link between practices on farms and water quality improvement in the reef lagoon, an issue that by participation, farmers are already showing they acknowledge and want to work on. QFF believes that farmers understand that the sustainable management of their farms goes hand in hand with continuing to ensure good outcomes for the reef. It is not unreasonable to ask that in order to acknowledge this commitment farmers should also be given the security to continue to grow their businesses in such a way that insures they have confidence to invest in the future as well. Further details can be found in the report “Land Management Practices in the Great Barrier Reef Catchments, Preliminary, 2008-09 (cat. no. 4619.0)” available for free download from the ABS website www.abs.gov.au.

MORATORIUM ON NEW WATER ACCESS IN THE WET TROPICS
Industry groups in the Wet Tropics are raising concerns over the impact of a moratorium on any new surface or groundwater access as announced last week by the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). The ban applies to licence applications to take surface and groundwater and the construction of new bores and surface water works in the catchments of the Daintree, Mossman, Russell-Mulgrave, Johnstone, Tully, Murray and Herbert rivers. QFF is working with CANEGROWERS, Growcom, Queensland Dairy Farmers (QDO) and Australian Prawn Farmers (APFA) to address the concerns of their members in regards to the moratorium and the expected announcement of a water resource plan for the Wet Tropics in the coming months.

QFF WATER POLICY COMMITTEE
Irrigation water pricing will again be a priority item on the agenda for the meeting of the QFF Water Policy Committee in the coming week. The QFF expects that price setting for irrigation schemes across the State will be conducted this year in preparation for new price paths that have to be put in place by July 2011. The meeting will also review the outcome of the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) review of electricity pricing and tariffs. QFF has lodged a submission which raised concerns about a QCA proposal to remove four of the five farm and irrigation tariffs. The Committee will also review a draft submission on proposed NWI guidelines for the conduct of water planning and management into the future. QFF is concerned that the guidelines have been drafted to reflect planning and management needs in the Murray Darling and need adjustment in a number of respects to address State wide water planning and management issues. Water planning issues on the agenda include the review of the Burnett water resource plan, the initiation of the Condamine groundwater plan and the expected announcement of Wet Tropics water resource plan. Planning progress in the South East Queensland will be reviewed and QFF will report on discussions with the Queensland Water Commission on a range of issues important to the continuation of irrigation in the region.
There is very little for the Committee to consider in regard to the Murray Darling. There has been no further water buy backs in the Queensland Murray Darling catchments in the latter part of 2009 and the Commonwealth has still to approve the release of funds for the implementation of programs of investment in water use efficiency measures on farm and in schemes. There is also little to report on the preparation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. QFF expects that there will be little to discuss regarding this plan until a draft is released mid-year. Other national issues that will be discussed will be the QFF submissions on the Productivity Commission review of the buy-back program and the ACCC draft advice on water trading rules for the Murray Darling Basin Authority.

$3 MILLION IN FUNDING ACCOUNCED FOR FARM READY
The Rudd Government has last week announced $3 million in funding under the second round of the FarmReady Industry Grants. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke said the funding would help producers across Australia increase their self-reliance and preparedness for climate variability. Primary producers, natural resource management groups and Indigenous land managers applied for grants of up to $80,000 a year under the program. The twenty projects to receive funding include, three from Queensland, including QFF member organisation the Australian Prawn Farmers Association (APFA), four from New South Wales, three from South Australia, six from Victoria, two from Tasmania and two from Western Australia. For a full list of successful grants click here.

ECONOMY STILL THE MAJOR CHALLENGE IN 2010: FRASER
Treasurer Andrew Fraser last week said Queensland's economic recovery was underway but warned challenges remained. The first Cabinet meeting of 2010 was last week briefed by the Treasurer on Queensland's economic prospects for the year. Unemployment, he said, is still expected to peak next financial year according to the Mid-Year Review published last month. "The enduring challenge for Queensland is to generate enough jobs to cater for a growing population. The Treasurer went on to say that the December Business Outlook had upgraded Queensland's economic outlook for 2010. "The upgrade and their analysis supports the view that the challenges are still significant but our longer term prospects remain a sure bet.” No comment was made on the rural industry.

DAYS ARE NUMBERED FOR ABBOTT'S CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY
Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong last week released a statement highlighting that Tony Abbott now has less than five days to release his climate change policy. To meet this guarantee Ms Wong said, Mr Abbott will need to release a fully costed and detailed climate change policy that is capable of delivering the full bipartisan target range. The Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, she said, is fully costed and works by putting a limit on Australia’s carbon pollution and making polluters pay. It is the cheapest and most effective way to reduce carbon pollution and deliver Australia’s full emissions reduction target range. That is why this policy approach, the statement from Ms Wong said, has been supported by mainstream conservative leaders such as former Prime Minister John Howard, former Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull and former Treasurer Peter Costello, as well as business groups. Mr Abbott has already made clear that he refuses to make polluters pay. To fund his policy, Mr Abbott must explain what spending measures he will cut or what the impact will be on debt and deficit. “After two months of talk and spin, it is time for Mr Abbott to put forward his detailed, fully costed climate change policy,” Ms Wong said. With the Government planning to re-introduce the CPRS to federal parliament in the coming week it remains to be seen what impact the rather unconvincing outcome of 2009 Copenhagen summit has had on this as their central tool in climate policy.

MEMBER NEWS

RAVENSDOWN EXPANDS INTO SOIL TESTING & A LOCAL TEAM
Just a year after fertiliser giant Ravensdown put its toe in the fertiliser market on the eastern seaboard, it has already set about its expansion program – launching a new soil test service. In addition they have consolidated their position in the Queensland and New South Wales market by adding to their local team, based in Brisbane. The announcement last week that Ravensdown Fertiliser Australia (RFA) has launched a best management practice compliant soil testing service was well received by cane farmers lobby group, CANEGROWERS. According to CANEGROWERS CEO Ian Ballantyne, this is just one prong in the increased benefits under the next growth phase planned by Ravensdown Fertiliser Australia. “2009 was a good first year for the relationship and considerable benefits flowed to CANEGROWERS members from the moment Ravensdown Fertiliser Australia entered the market,” he said. Mr Ballantyne said 2010 would see the relationship strengthen with some exciting developments, firstly with the introduction of the soil testing service, the appointment of permanent Queensland management and regionally based agronomic staff, and later in the year, the introduction of AgChem.

COTTON AUSTRALIA VISITS EMERALD
Cotton Australia Director Andrew Parkes and CEO Adam Kay recently visited Central Queensland, attending the local Cotton Grower Association (CGA) meeting to update growers on activities and to discuss their concerns over the industry’s resistance management strategy. Presentations were made on the current structure and function of the TIMS committee, with growers reminded that:
• The committee is made up of growers
• The focus has been on pre-emptive resistance management
• The committee is heavily reliant on industry and research consultation process
• The committee has the difficult role of finding the balance between correct science and the requirements of the regulator, the APVMA. The CGA was also presented with a Cotton Australia scorecard on progress made over the last 12 months, since the merger with the Australian Cotton Growers Research Association. Emphasis in this presentation was given to the ways Cotton Australia activities have helped put dollars in growers pockets, for example by successfully lobbying for changes to the new Pastoral Award.

UNFAIR DISMISSAL ADVICE
Growcom has assisted a number of employers with unfair dismissal issues in the past couple of months. One employer was required to pay seven weeks' wages to a former employee because the termination was deemed “harsh, unjust and unreasonable” under the circumstances. Others got off more lightly, but not by much. So it’s timely to remind employers to ensure that they follow the rules when considering terminating employees. It is unwise to take rash action without first understanding what you can and cannot do, and getting some professional advice. A copy of the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code and Checklist is available on the Growcom website or from Fair Work Australia. For more information contact Growcom's IR team on (07) 3620 3844 or email irteam@growcom.com.au.

OTHER NEWS

WOMEN, AGRICULTURE & POLICY SEMINAR
The Condamine Alliance have last week announced a seminar for women aimed at providing greater opportunities to learn more about how policy is developed and influenced. The seminar will be held on Wednesday February 17 at the Panorama Room, Picnic Point 164 Tourist Rd, Toowoomba and will commence at 9am. Special Guest: Janice Jiggins who is an internationally recognized figure for her contribution to agriculture, environment and gender issues will be speaking at the event. For more information, or to reserve your seat please RSVP to the Condamine Alliance by February 10 on 07 4620 0112 or email office@condaminealliance.com.au.

HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY CONTINUES PUSH FOR SUPERMARKET OMBUDSMAN
ABC Radio last week reported that Australia's horticulture industry will consider an alliance with green groups to push for a grocery ombudsman, if it fails to get one by itself. The Horticulture Australia Council wants the Federal Government to introduce the position to protect fruit and vegetable growers from unfair treatment by wholesalers and retailers. The British Government has agreed to introduce a similar ombudsman after campaigning by farmers and environmental groups. Kris Newton from the Horticulture Australia Council says she doubts the same approach is needed here, but it won't be ruled out.

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