If the bush telegraph is right, this New Year means Queensland is staring down the barrel of another election. 2017 is shaping up to be a big year for the entire sector and in particular the intensive agricultural industries the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) represents.
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At the state level, some of the issues QFF will strive for considerable improvement in include energy, regional planning, skills and employment, policy areas with large social impacts such as farm debt and succession, and of course the Reef.
Electricity affordability remains a major issue for our member industries with recurring and unsustainable price increases for irrigated agriculture of more than 100 per cent since 2007. In partnership with its industry members, QFF will present a considered proposal to our politicians that challenges the disjointed energy agenda currently in place.
Besides greater synergy between the various renewable and non-renewable energy elements, government settings must better account for energy affordability with on farm productivity and energy efficiency.
Regional planning that appropriately considers the importance and significance of agricultural industries is shaping up to be a substantial issue in 2017. QFF will continue its advocacy with state and local governments to ensure that our existing and expanding intensive agricultural industries are given the recognition and provisions that reflect their economic and communal value.
As in the 2015 state election, the issue of jobs, in particular regional employment, will play a major role in determining the outcome. The need to improve the various aspects of the agricultural workforce is a long running and under addressed issue.
QFF is the current holder the Rural Jobs & Skills Alliance, a partnership between agriculture and government, that ensures skills shortages and industry needs can be identified and filled. This alliance is starting to get traction and genuine industry engagement. Developing this initiative and building on progress to date is important for our sector and many regional communities.
Issues such as farm debt and succession often bubble under the surface, but can have large social impacts when they can no longer be ignored. It’s time these sort of issues are not only discussed and addressed in the ‘heat of the moment’, often for political gain, but rather in a more holistic and long term manner.
As seen in the recent Federal election, the perceived wellbeing and management of human impact on the Great Barrier Reef will be front and centre in Green and Labor campaigns. The issue has substantial electoral implications in the Reef Catchments as well as many Brisbane seats.
QFF will continue to represent the facts that relate to agriculture’s impact on the Reef and promote the positive changes that are under way. Unfortunately for the Reef, political rhetoric intensifies around elections but commitment wanes when it’s time to deliver.
QFF will not allow agriculture to be used as a scapegoat for populist policy over the long-term strategic investment decisions that need to be made to ensure a healthy Reef and healthy industries.
2017 is shaping up to be a vitally important year for Queensland agriculture. QFF will continue to work alongside our members to drive the reforms and positive changes required for intensive agriculture. All parties have a great opportunity to play their part in fostering a very bright future for the sector.
