10 Nov 2016
Following Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson’s resignation, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) wrote to the Premier to remind her of the importance of Queensland’s agriculture sector and the need for a considered decision in selecting a replacement minister.
Agriculture is critical to the success of the Queensland economy. It is regional and rural Queensland’s mainstay employer and importantly, it is a growing sector during the resources downturn. The sector is currently worth more than $17 billion a year to the state and it plays a critical role in natural resource management, occupying around 83 per cent of the state’s land area.
Our sector currently has a unique window of opportunity to set the foundations for long-term responsible and sustainable growth that will benefit Queensland as a whole. The sector has the potential to grow to be worth $30 billion a year within a decade if the right government support and policy settings can be realised. Investment in the sector will provide a major boost for the state’s economy and much needed jobs for regional and rural Queenslanders.
QFF had developed an effective and productive working relationship with Minister Donaldson and her office; built upon our organisation’s long standing, mutually respectful relationship with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. QFF looks forward to establishing a similar relationship with the incoming minister and their office.
When selecting a new minister, the government must take into consideration how important agriculture is to our economy, the prosperity of regional and rural communities, and responsible land and water resources management. The right selection will put an end to the churn of agriculture ministers.
QFF is confident that if each of these is factors are considered and the government maintains its commitment to work constructively with industry organisations such as QFF and its industry members, then the future of agriculture in Queensland is bright.
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