AUSTRALIAN YEAR OF THE FARMER

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (17:02): I move:

That this council:

1. Notes that 2012 is the Australian Year of the Farmer; and

2. Acknowledges the contribution that farmers and all others involved in primary production make to both feeding our nation and to sustain Australia's economy.

I am very pleased to bring this motion to the Legislative Council today. Certainly, the Australian Year of the Farmer is something that has been getting an increasing amount of publicity in recent months, but I think we need to make sure that more and more people are aware of the importance of the year and the importance of the subject matter of this organisation that has been created to celebrate the Year of the Farmer.

I certainly want to acknowledge the Hon. John Darley, who raised a question in this house last year about the government's support for the Australian Year of the Farmer. I note that today the Hon. Mr Kandelaars directed a question on similar lines to the minister in his own government. As a result of that, and a supplementary I asked, I look forward to getting more detail about the financial and in-kind support the government is providing to the Australian Year of the Farmer organisation.

Australian Year of the Farmer is a non-political, not-for-profit organisation set up to celebrate the hard work of everyone involved in producing, processing, handling and selling products from 136,000 farms across the country. Australian farms, and the industries that support them, generate more than $405 billion each year, which is 27 per cent of our GDP.

The celebration was conceived by Australian Year of the Farmer Ltd directors, Chairman Philip Bruem AM and Managing Director Geoff Bell, both from New South Wales. Geoff and Philip wanted more people to appreciate the fresh food and quality materials our farmers produce to keep us fed, clothed and sheltered, so the concept has grown into a national celebration, one which will reach every Australian, reminding us that our farmers sustain the Australian way of life and the economy, something which is important for us at this stage to recognise. I think that many people forget that, as well as Australian farmers providing all that food and shelter, etc. to Australians, a significant amount of what the farming sector produces in this country goes to other countries, and that export effort is a significant factor in our economy and always will be.

The member for Hammond in another place and shadow minister for agriculture Adrian Pederick and I met with Mr Bruem and Mr Bell late last year and we were pleased to add to the contacts that they had in South Australia as well as making some suggestions about how the year could be further promoted in this state. I commend them for making the trips that they have undertaken around a whole range of communities across Australia to get some local knowledge about how best to promote the range of events and activities in various communities.

As part of the Australian Year of the Farmer program a range of events, initiatives and educational programs are being rolled out across the nation throughout 2012. Highlights will include a nine-vehicle, One Country Roadshow travelling more than 56,000 kilometres to attend more than 300 events in an unprecedented Agricultural, Innovation and Technology Expo incorporating a Food of Origin Extravaganza. The extravaganza will promote the quality and origin of Australian food products from wheat to bread and paddock to plate. The expo will also include a policy conference to bring together key stakeholders to discuss the issues of food security and skills in agriculture. While the Year of the Farmer is not a lobbying organisation, it seeks to facilitate greater stakeholder unity on these key issues that will affect the future of agribusiness in Australia.

Education is also a strong focus for the year, as are the many career opportunities available in the agribusiness sector. The program brings together the many excellent teaching resources available to provide inspiration and ignition points within wider subject or lesson plans. Children will explore the question, 'What does it take to feed Australia for a day?' in a range of subjects and mediums.

The Year of the Farmer will also include a photo competition and commemorative collectors' coins and stamps, as well as a TV program and One Country card. The Australian Year of the Farmer is about celebrating and enriching the connections between rural and urban Australia so the organisation has sought to create as many touch-points with people as possible.

It is worth noting that the Year of the Farmer has received a broad range of support from industry and government and is proud to have the patronage of Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and former cricket hero Glenn McGrath as ambassador for the year.

In continuing to comment about the range of activities and promotion for the events of this year, I note a special publication in many of the agricultural newspapers across this continent. I know it is not appropriate for me to use props but I do have on my desk, if anybody wants to have a look at it, a publication called Our Farmers, Our Future. I am also pleased that the roadshow that I mentioned earlier will be featured at many key events in South Australia this year including field days, country shows and, of course, the Royal Adelaide Show.

It is also important that the message be widely received in metropolitan areas of the country. It is important to highlight the importance of careers in agriculture and associated industries and the value of living in regional communities. I think it is also important to make sure that people with great leadership qualities remain in the agricultural sector, remain in regional communities and provide the direction and leadership that will make those industries and communities thrive long into the future. I commend Mr Bruem and Mr Bell for their initiative in getting this off the ground. It has enormous support across the country. If other members wish to obtain more information about this topic, they can look up www.yearofthefarmer.com.au.

I urge the government and other major organisations in this state to do all they can to assist the organisers throughout the year. The year will conclude in December with an exciting event in Melbourne, a showcase of agricultural innovation and technology set to be the largest of its kind in this country. It will take place in Melbourne from 6 to 9 December and showcase how Australian farmers are leading the world in farming techniques, innovation and technology. I commend the motion to the council.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. G.A. Kandelaars.