GrainGrowers, Media Release, 25 March 2025
The budget delivered today is like a single, small scoop of vanilla ice cream for the bush – predictable and lacking the flavour to truly satisfy regional Australia, industry body GrainGrowers said today.
GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said while the government had pitched the budget as a responsible platform for prosperity, it had missed the opportunity to deliver on a range of regional investment opportunities that would strengthen grain-growing regions and bridge the gap between urban centres and the bush.
“There are positive small steps in this budget in areas including regional housing, low carbon liquid fuels and childcare, but they fall short of the meaningful investments that the grains industry would like to see.”
Ms Gawel said the increasingly complex global trading environment necessitated a proactive approach to market diversification.
“We welcome the additional funding to support greater economic engagement with India and the provision of technical market access services. However, given the current global trade dynamics, further investment and focus in this area is essential.”
Ms Gawel said the challenge of climate change had also been largely ignored.
“Despite the critical challenges climate change poses to agriculture, the Budget included only limited additional resourcing to support sustainability and climate resilience across the sector.”
Ms Gawel said GrainGrowers was disappointed in the lack of additional funding for regional freight routes.
“Regional roads are the backbone of Australia’s supply chains. Targeted investment in road infrastructure is essential to support growing freight demands and keep regional communities connected.”
Ms Gawel said GrainGrowers has invested significant funding into well researched, facts-based reports, with nationally focused solutions to identified issues.
“We take pride in bringing economic and policy based solutions for growers – who deliver consistent economic benefits to the Australian economy.”
She said the size and economic value of the grain industry presents a unique economic and social opportunity, with development potential to drive regional prosperity and national economic growth. In the last year alone, 22,500 grain farm businesses generated some $33 billion in gross value of production, producing 50 million tonnes of grains, oilseeds, and pulses.
“While this Budget fell short of delivering the bold investments needed to unlock the full potential of the grain industry – particularly in critical areas like infrastructure, trade diversification and supply chain resilience – we remain optimistic that the upcoming federal election will bring a renewed focus and stronger commitments to regional Australia and the growers who underpin our food security and export success,” Ms Gawel said.
