Parliament gets the word on Urannah Dam
THE importance of Urannah Dam to provide future jobs and economic stability was highlighted by new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce on the floor of parliament today.Minister Joyce spoke about the importance of building dams in response to my question on the importance of restoring agriculture as a fundamental pillar of the Australian economy.The importance of securing funding for a feasibility study on the Urannah Dam is vitally important for this region, and I’m doing all in my power to ensure we see that funding flow through.It’s heartening to see that it is getting the attention of leading decision makers in our government.
Other worker options in horticulture
I will support the Bowen Gumlu Growers in their push for a 15% flat rate of tax for backpackers. But growers should also consider other options when looking for workers.Growers need to realise though, that this is going to be very difficult to achieve.And though it's labelled a backpacker tax, this is not a tax.It’s the removal of the tax-free threshold which was increased from $6000 to $18,000 only a few years ago.The difficulty is this measure represents a $540 million saving to the Budget bottom line, and it’s going to be extremely difficult to find another avenue to recoup that saving.
Minister’s Mackay visit to canvass ideas
29 JANUARY 2016: Mackay residents will provide direct input into a regional policy process when the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister visits Mackay. The Liberal National Government is formulating a policy that will set out a long-term vision for regional Australia and North Queensland will play a vital role in the process.
Hopes raised on flow of Urannah funds
I WAS pleased to get confirmation today that an application for funding for a Urannah Dam feasibility study has been submitted to the Federal Government’s National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.The Urannah Dam project has the potential to create thousands of jobs and immediately open up more than 12,000 hectares of agricultural land with the potential for approximately 30,000 hectares in total, but the crucial next step for its consideration was to secure funding for a $5.2 million feasibility study..Expressions of interest for funding had to be lodged by state and territory governments by Thursday last week, and I am happy to confirm that this has taken place.
Foreign millers acting like spoilt brats
FOREIGN-owned millers such as Wilmar and Mitr Phol need to stop throwing temper tantrums and get on with business.Wilmar is saying it will not sign any further agreements for next year’s crop and Mitr Phol has announced that it was cease all new investment across its Australian sugar business.Both foreign millers are reacting to the passing of legislation in State Parliament to ensure growers have choice over who markets their sugar.These foreign-owned millers are behaving like two-year-olds chucking a tantrum because the parliament hasn’t done what they wanted.
Region needs a ‘year of opportunity’ in 2016
27 NOVEMBER 2015: A dedicated agency tasked with job creation and industry development could make 2016 a year of opportunity for the greater Mackay region.
Still time to apply for agriculture grants
Farmers and fishers have another fortnight to apply for a share of $2.2 million in small grants to increase industry capacity and support the adoption of productive management practices.Our farmers are some of our most dedicated conservationists and sustainable land managers. They manage pests and weeds, often at their own cost, to the benefit of the entire community.
NQ sugar jobs worth fighting for
8 AUGUST 2015: AS FAR as North Queensland is concerned, sugar in the deal-breaker in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Trade Minister Andrew Robb left negotiations in Hawaii without a deal on the weekend and without sugar on the table that’s a good thing.
Grants to support practical environment projects
28 JULY 2015: PRACTICAL measures to improve the environment will be backed by a new round of funding through the Liberal National Government’s National Landcare Programme. A total of $135,000 will be offered through the Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac region by Reef Catchments through their Looking After Local Landscapes initiative.
Calling on our allies to seal a sweet deal
I'M urging our allies on many battlefields to once again recognise the historically strong relationship between Australia and the United States and come up with a sweet deal for sugar in the US Trans Pacific Partnership.Negotiators head to Hawaii next week for what could be the final round of talks, and we need a strengthened sugar trading relationship.Queensland sugar cane growers will be understandably devastated if we do not see an outcome of a commercially significant agreement on sugar with the US.
Farmer friendly business environment
6 July 2015: Through the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, the Australian Government released a series of measures designed to strengthen the contribution of agriculture to the national economy by providing a better business environment for farmers. These initiatives will play a critical role in developing a better business environment for agriculture by increasing farmgate returns, improving risk management and encouraging investment.
Ag white paper commits to clearer country of origin labelling
6 July: The Australian Government underlined its commitment to improved country of origin labelling to help consumers make informed choices about the origin of the food they eat with the release of the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. Considerable public interest in the issue made it clear that consumers wanted to know whether the products they were buying were sourced locally or from overseas.
Securing Australia’s water supply for the future
5 July 2015: The Australian Government has set up a National Water Infrastructure Development Fund with $500 million for water infrastructure, including dams, through the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. An allocation of $50 million will support the planning necessary to decide on viable projects for investment, and $450 million was available to construct water infrastructure in partnership with states and territories.
ACCC to champion agribusiness transparency
5 July 2015: The Australian Government has acted on concerns raised by farmers about supply chain transparency during the consultation phase of the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. The white paper commits $11.4 million to establish an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Commissioner dedicated to agriculture as well as supporting capability at the ACCC concerned with agriculture supply chain issues.