15 June 2016
Further investment in Biosecurity, a reconstituting of QRAA to improve its charter and flexibility, renewed emphasis on succession planning and extra funding for getting rural and regional Queensland ‘back to work’ in the 2016-17 State budget have all been welcomed by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF).
QFF CEO Travis Tobin commended the Government for a balanced and considered approach to funding a number of projects and initiatives that will benefit the agriculture industry and regional Queensland.
“Queensland Biosecurity will get a boost of $10.8 million over 4 years to begin to implement the recommendations of the Biosecurity Capability Review, however the $30 million total spend still falls short of the review’s recommended funding.”
“The increased biosecurity funding will start to address the well-known and agreed gaps within the biosecurity system. QFF and its members are looking forward to accepting the Government’s invitation to sitting down and discussing the details of shared responsibility to ensure it meets industry expectations.”
“QFF has been calling for an expansion and review of QRAA and support in principle it’s reconstituting as the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) with an expanded Board charter and improved flexibility.”
“Increasing the limit for the Primary Industry Productivity Enhancement Scheme (PIPES) and Sustainability Loans to $1.3 million, and the First Start Loans to $2 million, are sensible reforms that appropriately reflect the capital required in a modern agriculture sector.”
The Government additionally outlined a number of reforms and initiatives designed to improve farm succession planning and processes.
“QFF welcome the removal of the state transfer duty tax from intergenerational agricultural property sales as well as an establishment of $2,500 grants available for individual farmers to seek assistance with financial management, mitigating climate risks, succession planning and multi-peril ‘crop’ insurance options.”
“Both of these initiatives offer practical means that should assist family succession planning. Ultimately this is about removing barriers and empowering farmers with information so they can make the informed decisions within their individual business situations.”
“QFF are looking forward to working with the government and Jobs Queensland to ensure the growing agriculture sector is able to properly benefit from the $100 million jobs plan to get for rural and regional Queensland ‘back to work’.”
“As our regional communities’ transition away from resource dominated economies, the established and prospering agriculture sector will continue and grow as a major employer and this program should further this.”
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation is the united voice of intensive agriculture in Queensland. It is a federation that represents the interests of 17 of Queensland’s peak rural industry organisations, which in turn collectively represent more than 13,000 primary producers across Queensland.
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