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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-09 Daily Xml
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AUSTRALIAN YEAR OF THE FARMER

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries questions about the Australian Year of the Farmer.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: On 12 October this year, the Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 was officially launched at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. The year 2012 has been earmarked for Australia to recognise and celebrate Australian farmers and, in the words of Year of the Farmer Chairman, Mr Philip Bruem, the year 'celebrates them for feeding the nation, for leading the world in farming techniques and innovation, and for sustaining the vital agribusinesses that underpin our economy'.

I understand that the campaign has the backing of both state and federal governments and hopes to strengthen the ties between city and rural communities. However, despite the government's support, I am increasingly hearing stories from farmers that farming in Australia and, more particularly in South Australia, is becoming more and more difficult.

The introduction of an unnecessarily expensive property identification code (PIC), when an identical code has been in existence in government since 1968, and the introduction of a biosecurity fee have been met with opposition from rural communities; however, their protests seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

Furthermore, I have been approached by many food producers who are increasingly concerned about the behaviour of natural resources management staff and alleged cases of bullying and harassment. Many farmers I have spoken to feel that farming is being sacrificed for the sake of the environment, when it is a known fact that farmers are true conservationists and care about their land. My questions are:

1. What contribution is the South Australian government and its departments making to the Australian Year of the Farmer campaign?

2. Why is the government publicly supporting farmers on the one hand but, on the other hand, allowing its departments to make life as difficult as possible for them?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:37): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions. Indeed, the Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 is planned to be a year-long event of national celebration of farming, recognising the contribution of farmers and recognising, in particular, the contribution that they make to Australia through food production as well as their contribution to natural resources management in things like innovation, technology and, obviously, the broader economy.

The year is a project of a non-profit company, Australian Year of the Farmer Ltd, which was established in 2009, so I am advised. In December 2010, PIRSA arranged for South Australian meetings, which were attended by representatives from state government, industry and rural communities, to discuss the involvement of government departments, industry sectors and organisations in celebrations.

The Australian Year of the Farmer Ltd explained the benefits of being involved and the types of activities that would be held during 2012 and encouraged involvement in the sector to promote the sector and help build relationships, particularly between the urban and primary industry sectors. PIRSA has circulated that information through its industry and community networks and has provided internal updates as required.

Liaison continues between PIRSA and the chair, and also the professional public relations company coordinator for South Australia, providing them with contacts and information as required. Many organisations in South Australia have expressed interest in badging their events in line with the Year of the Farmer. I have asked officers to bring to me suggestions and options for South Australia's specific activities. So, I look forward to that.

The honourable member made use of the PIC scheme, which I spoke about in this place yesterday. It is a scheme that is designed to be able to identify livestock. As I said yesterday, it is a very important tool to be able to ensure effective and professional response to animal health emergencies, including things such as disease, fire, flood, etc.

This is a national matter, and all states are moving to mandate a PIC. In fact, the honourable member seems to be indicating that it is something the industry is not embracing and that, in fact, is not a fair representation. I know that there are mixed views about this, but I am advised that there is a fairly strong level of support from livestock organisations for the PIC. Although it will result in a small impost, they also have a much longer-term view and can appreciate and understand, unlike members opposite, how important it is for the future security and biosecurity of our livestock.

As I have said, I am aware that that there are mixed views about that, but the Hon. John Darley did not represent all of those views in his statements here in the chamber today, yet I do recognise that he does reflect some.

In terms of the NRM, the NRM is a policy area that is the responsibility of the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, the Hon. Paul Caica. However, that act was put in place to integrate and balance the focus between development and sustainable resource management, and the management of those resources is absolutely critical to primary industry. Primary industries gain from better management of our water catchment areas and better management of weed and other pest infiltrations.

Primary industries have a direct benefit from most of the activities that NRM boards and their staff perform. To suggest somehow that the NRM is the enemy of farmers is an absolute nonsense; it is just not so. I am aware that, in the past, there have been some complaints raised around individual incidents. I am absolutely confident that, if people have issues and they bring those forward to the appropriate minister, those matters will be investigated thoroughly and, if there was any inappropriate conduct, the minister would address that promptly.

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