Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This week is National Farm Safety Week. Every year, and especially this year, National Farm Safety Week is an important and timely reminder of the everyday dangers out there for farmers and workers on Australian farms. Last year alone, 72 people lost their lives and 133 people were seriously injured in on-farm incidents. These are not just abstract numbers; they represent someone's parent, partner, child or loved one who never came home or whose life may never be the same.

Agriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous industries to work in. While the sector only represents a small proportion of the workforce, it has the highest rate of workforce fatalities per worker compared to any other industry in Australia. That's why I want to recognise the work of Farmsafe Australia for putting together this year's Farm Safety Week campaign. This year's theme is 'Second Chances—Who Knows How Many You'll Get?' The campaign encourages farmers and farm workers to stop and think about the near misses that happen every day, because it's those same near misses that could have ended very differently. We know that fatigue, familiarity, time constraints and the demands of the job can all contribute to accidents on a farm. That's why this campaign is a reminder to farmers and farm workers to stay vigilant and prioritise their safety.

Our government is committed to bringing the number of farm accidents and fatalities on Australian farms down to zero. That's why we have committed an additional $2.5 million over three years to Farmsafe Australia through the National Farm Safety Education Fund. I met Farmsafe Australia's chair, Felicity Richards, at her own farm in Launceston last year. I acknowledge the incredible work that Felicity and her team do to improve safety on Australian farms. All workers deserve to come home safe, no matter what their workplace and the industry that they're involved with.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We will move to the first question time of the 48th Parliament.