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Campaign leaves farmers and regional Australians wanting: NFF

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National Farmers’ Federation, Media Release, 20 May 2022

National Farmers’ Federation President Fiona Simson says whoever forms government after Saturday will need to be more aspirational in their plans for agriculture and rural Australia.

“This election, the NFF was looking for ideas and funding commitments to propel the farm sector’s growth trajectory and to give the support regional Australia needs to reach its potential. Unfortunately, all parties have fallen short.

“Positive commitments on biosecurity and telecommunications were welcomed, but farmers have not heard enough on workforce solutions; nor on supporting improved sustainability demonstration; and nor a meaningful plan for regional development.

During the campaign, the NFF put the major parties’ responses to the Time to Thrive priorities under the microscope to see if they passed the “farm test”.

Ms Simson urged voters to download the resulting NFF Policy Voting Guide for a warts and all assessment of where the parties stood on agriculture and regional Australia.

“The NFF was shocked and frustrated, when at the eleventh hour this week Anthony Albanese put a red pen through the $500 million Regionalisation Fund. This announcement was not included in Labor’s official response to the NFF.”

The Coalition’s regionalisation plan also falls short of the $4.1 billion ask from the NFF.

“Yesterday’s record low unemployment figures highlight the need for a solution to agriculture’s workforce crisis. The Australian Agriculture Visa is a key part of this solution. Unfortunately, Labor will not support an Ag Visa opting instead for an expanded Pacific visa. We call on the Coalition to do more to bring the Ag Visa to life.”

Ms Simson said the Coalition’s failure to extend the instant asset write off test was a major blow for farmers and other small businesses.

“Unfortunately, this campaign has been overall underwhelming for agriculture and the regions. Whoever forms Government will have significantly more work to do to prove their support for farmers and the bush.”

Ms Simson said throughout the pandemic and the natural disasters of the past three years, agriculture and the regions had stood tall, buffering Australia from economic headwinds.

“At the heart of our Time to Thrive platform is agriculture’s goal to be a $100 billion industry by 2030 and the need for a plan for strong, vibrant regions.”

See the NFF’s Policy Voting Guide here.

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