The Morrison Government will back the agriculture industry with a new multi-million dollar plan to create jobs, grow regional centres and back our farmers.
“Our plan is to continue growing our agricultural industries and assist the sector hit $100 billion farm gate output by 2030,” Mr Pasin said.
“Under a Coalition Government the value of production in primary industries is up 25 per cent and the value of exports is up 29 per cent to $53 billion.
“The sector currently employs more than 250,000 Australians. Our farmers feed the nation while contributing significantly to our economic success.”
The Morrison Government’s plan for growing agriculture, fisheries and forestry will:
• Tackle barriers to growth and productivity;
• Provide the water needed for growth and drought-proofing;
• Tackle intergenerational land transfer and encourage new farmers;
• Expand exports and improve market access; and
• Get the balance right for our fisheries and forestry industries.
To make this plan a reality the Morrison Government has announced:
• $2 million concessional AgriStarter Loans for new farmers to help them purchase a majority share or total share of a farm;
• An additional $10 million to tackle pests and weeds in drought-affected communities;
• $1.9 million for a new National Agricultural Workforce Strategy, supported by an Agricultural Labour Advisory Committee;
• $3.5 million Farm Safety Education Fund to support activities that address on-farm safety issues.
• A new 2030 Protected Horticulture Strategy to build more support for export industries
This builds on the announcements we have already made including continuing to help our farmers tackle, recover and prepare for drought and our plan for the fisheries sector.
Mr Pasin said, growing up in regional Australia he understood first-hand the struggles young people often face finding the capital or equity to buy a farm.
“I’m particularly excited about our plan to help get young people into farming,” Mr Pasin said.
“We’ve given the Rural Investment Corporation the green light to create a loan product specifically to help young farmers enter the industry.
“We need to give our rural people a reason to stay home or come home and this will help do that,” Mr Pasin said.
Mr Pasin met up with agronomist Matthew Arthurson in Mount Gambier to discuss the policy and how it would help young people interested in farming enter the industry.
“It’s hard for young people to buy their first home let alone a farm. Anything that will make this process easier will be welcomed. At the moment it seems out of reach for a young person like me to own their own farm. A whole generation of aspiring farmers are choosing other career paths, often in the cities, because it’s too hard to get finance to buy a farm,” said Mr Arthurson.
Mr Pasin said that only a re-elected Morrison Government will continue to create jobs and support these vital industries through our plan for a stronger economy.
Media contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8531 2466
