Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Sterle for his question. Labor governments have a strong tradition of investing in Landcare and supporting the flagship Caring for our Country program. Landcare and community groups play a vital role in the delivery of natural resource management rights on the ground. Since 2008 the government has funded nearly 1,000 competitive grants worth over $110 million through Landcare. Former Labor Prime Minister Mr Bob Hawke declared the 1990s as the decade of Landcare. His declaration symbolised the investment that the Hawke Labor government delivered for sustainable agriculture and environmental practices.

This is why I am pleased to be able to announce to the Senate that the Gillard government will be naming a new agricultural honour after former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. The Bob Hawke Landcare Award will recognise an outstanding individual effort in encouraging Australians to adopt sustainable and productive agricultural practices. The winner of this award will receive a prize of up to $50,000 to develop their knowledge and skills in sustainable land management and will have an honorary position on the Australian Landcare Council for a period of two years. This award will support and recognise the hardworking and innovative land managers and volunteers who live and breathe Landcare. It will champion those who create sustainable farm practices for the benefit of local areas and the whole system.

Landcare volunteers range from kids to retirees, surfers to farmers and CEOs to students, with over 6,000 Landcare and Coastcare groups nationwide. Landcare provides an opportunity for like-minded individuals to unify under a shared desire to create positive changes in their communities. These individuals recognise— (Time expired)