Agriculture is critical to Australia’s success

May 6, 2019

Unlocking capital, building more resilient rural communities to tackle drought and creating new export opportunities are just some of the achievements the Coalition Federal
Government has accomplished for agriculture, Maranoa MP David Littleproud said.

“Many of our famers have been tackling drought for over seven years and it’s my role to make sure we get our fair share in Canberra so that our communities grow more resilient
and have a platform to prosper,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I strongly support Australia’s agricultural sector to become a $100 billion industry by 2030 – a goal not lost on this Coalition Federal Government who’ve gained access to 107
overseas markets.

“We’ve put $7billion towards supporting farmers – including the Future Drought Fund and restocking and replanting concessional loans – because the sooner our farmers can get
back on their feet, the sooner they can throw some punches and do what they do best – farm.

“It’s my job to get young people into farming and young farmers will be able to purchase their first farm through Argistarter loans – made available through the Regional Investment
Corporation (RIC).

“The RIC, which was established by this Coalition Federal Government, supports farmers with loans for water infrastructure and to manage and recover from drought. These
investments improve long term strength and profitability of our farming sector.

“To combat pests and weeds, we’ve invested $208.3 million and an additional $1.1 billion for Landcare.

“North Queensland’s floods were catastrophic and we’ve given those farmers a hand up with $3.3 billion of support.

“I’m proud, as the Agriculture Minister, to have brokered a deal on the Murray-Darling Basin and saved an extra water recovery target of 70GL for the Northern Basin.

“This Coalition Federal Government knows that supporting its farmers will help build an Australia for tomorrow, because when farmers prosper, our regional communities thrive.”
ENDS