Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Paterson for the motion. I acknowledge her longstanding commitment to the regions and to our farmers and primary producers in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. The recently released forecast from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resources, Economics and Science, or ABARES, was terrific news. It shows that Australian agriculture is due to hit over $100 billion—in fact, $101.4 billion—this financial year. This means, of course, that we have $100 billion for 2030, four years ahead of the National Farmers' Federation target. They anticipated and hoped and aspired to $100 billion of production by 2030. We've got this four years ahead of schedule, up from $88 billion when we came to power in May 2022. We've achieved the target set by industry by working together—industry, our farmers and the Albanese Labor government.

Our government's careful and considered approach to restoring international relations has helped Australian agriculture, and our support for Australian agriculture remains strong during this period. We know, of course, there have been many challenges, and that's why the $100 billion is totally worth supporting and celebrating. The $100 billion target has come at a time when we know some of our farmers have been impacted by drought, floods and rain and by trade displacements across the globe. Conflicts like we're seeing currently have flow-on effects in terms of localised fuel shortages in some areas. I see that in the floods, rains and cyclonic conditions across Ipswich and the Somerset region in my electorate and in the fires which have impacted the farming communities as well. So this is an extraordinary result, and it's a testimony to Australian farmers, industry and government working hard together.

Our trade is more diverse than it's ever been, and we're on target; for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, it is $85 billion in exports during the financial year. That's a very significant figure, and of course it's down to the careful and considered work we've been doing to restore our trade relationships—I pay tribute to Don Farrell, the Minister for Trade and Tourism—and, of course, to work with industry. Over 250 new market achievements have been reached by this government since we came to office. We're working with industry closely and carefully and working with international partners to achieve the record figure that we're talking about in this motion today. This is important for many communities in my electorate, such as in rural parts of Ipswich and the Somerset region, where beef farming in particular and poultry production are major industries. This $100 billion forecast translates to thriving regional communities and thriving rural places, and that's great for a country as big as Australia. This year's outlook is a remarkable achievement and testimony to the immense resilience and skill of our agricultural workforce.

We've worked to ensure Australians can gain the skills they need for good, secure regional jobs that help keep Australian agriculture strong. At the same time, it's worth noting the PALM Scheme is one of the things that has helped achieve this $100 billion figure. We've got over 17,000 people contributing to our agricultural sector through the PALM Scheme, including some in my electorate and surrounding areas like the Lockyer Valley in South-East Queensland. It's been an outstanding success for this country. We're also working with our neighbours at the same time to give people opportunity and financial security both here and in their home countries. There are 10,000 workers working in meat processing as well. That again gives you a sense of the workforce, the work that's going on in this area and the contribution that's needed to achieve the $100 billion figure. We've got a number of big meat processors in my electorate, including the JBS plant at Dinmore in Ipswich and Kilcoy Global Foods in the Somerset region, both in Kilcoy and Coominya. They're some of the biggest employers in the region. They make a huge contribution to local economies and to farmers who produce beef cattle and send their produce to these particular meat processing areas. I'm very proud to be part of a government that supports our meat processors and our farming communities.

I want to congratulate the NFF, for their vision, and the government. Over $100 billion for Australia's agricultural production is significant, and it's worth celebrating. It's a result of the advocacy of the NFF and the cooperation and collaboration we've had with them, and I want to congratulate them in particular. I acknowledge the challenge our farmers are experiencing now and look forward to our recommitting ourselves to their welfare and their families.

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