❓ A parliamentary question regarding the WA government's support for the agriculture sector during a dry season, contrasted with the previous government's approach. The Minister responds by outlining various initiatives and investments made to support the sector.
AnsweredQoN 765Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AGRICULTURE SECTOR — GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
(1) In this very dry season that we are currently enduring, can the minister please explain how the government has chosen to stand by its rural communities in driving forward the agriculture sector—in contrast to the previous government’s approach—during this very tough time, both emotionally and financially? (2) Can the minister please inform the house of the important strategies that the government has put in place over the past year, including the recent announcement of the grain freight network, Muchea Livestock Centre and, of course, the timeliness of genetically modified crops? Mr D.T. REDMAN
(1) In this very dry season that we are currently enduring, can the minister please explain how the government has chosen to stand by its rural communities in driving forward the agriculture sector—in contrast to the previous government’s approach—during this very tough time, both emotionally and financially? (2) Can the minister please inform the house of the important strategies that the government has put in place over the past year, including the recent announcement of the grain freight network, Muchea Livestock Centre and, of course, the timeliness of genetically modified crops? Mr D.T. REDMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for his question; clearly, he is interested in agriculture. (1)–(2) I said when I first became a minister that I could be counted on to make decisions; that is exactly what I have done in my portfolio, and what the Liberal–National government has done in its term of government. We can rest on our record. Over the course of this year we have continued to make decisions relating to agriculture and forestry that drive these industries forward. We have made advancements in trade relations, biosecurity and infrastructure, and we have also made every effort to encourage young people back into the sector. On top of that, we have been cleaning up the mess from the previous government. Let us look at a few examples of what has happened over the past 12 months. The dry season is one of the greatest challenges facing the agriculture community in Western Australia. We successfully negotiated a drought pilot, which is in place now. We are very pleased to have that in place on the ground considering the challenges that are out there. Recently the Premier and I announced a $5 million assistance package to support the challenges that are out there, and on top of that, the Premier has pledged that regional services will be maintained in those areas. Wheatbelt men’s health was another announcement made by this government this year, with $2.78 million from royalties for regions funds being allocated to a three-year program to expand that very essential service of supporting the mental health of the farming community—in particular, the males of that farming community. I mentioned over the past couple of weeks the significant markets that we have been successful in opening up for Western Australian farmers, such as a new 55 000-tonne shipment to the Saudi market for the first time in 20 years, and the first container-load of lupins being shipped into Surabaya, Indonesia. The member for Perth asked a question yesterday, and, of course, we have a sister state relationship with East Java, which is most important. The international grains forum will be held in Perth next month. That also reflects Western Australia’s increasing importance on the world stage. As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
(2) Can the minister please inform the house of the important strategies that the government has put in place over the past year, including the recent announcement of the grain freight network, Muchea Livestock Centre and, of course, the timeliness of genetically modified crops? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for his question; clearly, he is interested in agriculture. (1)–(2) I said when I first became a minister that I could be counted on to make decisions; that is exactly what I have done in my portfolio, and what the Liberal–National government has done in its term of government. We can rest on our record. Over the course of this year we have continued to make decisions relating to agriculture and forestry that drive these industries forward. We have made advancements in trade relations, biosecurity and infrastructure, and we have also made every effort to encourage young people back into the sector. On top of that, we have been cleaning up the mess from the previous government. Let us look at a few examples of what has happened over the past 12 months. The dry season is one of the greatest challenges facing the agriculture community in Western Australia. We successfully negotiated a drought pilot, which is in place now. We are very pleased to have that in place on the ground considering the challenges that are out there. Recently the Premier and I announced a $5 million assistance package to support the challenges that are out there, and on top of that, the Premier has pledged that regional services will be maintained in those areas. Wheatbelt men’s health was another announcement made by this government this year, with $2.78 million from royalties for regions funds being allocated to a three-year program to expand that very essential service of supporting the mental health of the farming community—in particular, the males of that farming community. I mentioned over the past couple of weeks the significant markets that we have been successful in opening up for Western Australian farmers, such as a new 55 000-tonne shipment to the Saudi market for the first time in 20 years, and the first container-load of lupins being shipped into Surabaya, Indonesia. The member for Perth asked a question yesterday, and, of course, we have a sister state relationship with East Java, which is most important. The international grains forum will be held in Perth next month. That also reflects Western Australia’s increasing importance on the world stage. As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for his question; clearly, he is interested in agriculture. (1)–(2) I said when I first became a minister that I could be counted on to make decisions; that is exactly what I have done in my portfolio, and what the Liberal–National government has done in its term of government. We can rest on our record. Over the course of this year we have continued to make decisions relating to agriculture and forestry that drive these industries forward. We have made advancements in trade relations, biosecurity and infrastructure, and we have also made every effort to encourage young people back into the sector. On top of that, we have been cleaning up the mess from the previous government. Let us look at a few examples of what has happened over the past 12 months. The dry season is one of the greatest challenges facing the agriculture community in Western Australia. We successfully negotiated a drought pilot, which is in place now. We are very pleased to have that in place on the ground considering the challenges that are out there. Recently the Premier and I announced a $5 million assistance package to support the challenges that are out there, and on top of that, the Premier has pledged that regional services will be maintained in those areas. Wheatbelt men’s health was another announcement made by this government this year, with $2.78 million from royalties for regions funds being allocated to a three-year program to expand that very essential service of supporting the mental health of the farming community—in particular, the males of that farming community. I mentioned over the past couple of weeks the significant markets that we have been successful in opening up for Western Australian farmers, such as a new 55 000-tonne shipment to the Saudi market for the first time in 20 years, and the first container-load of lupins being shipped into Surabaya, Indonesia. The member for Perth asked a question yesterday, and, of course, we have a sister state relationship with East Java, which is most important. The international grains forum will be held in Perth next month. That also reflects Western Australia’s increasing importance on the world stage. As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for his question; clearly, he is interested in agriculture. (1)–(2) I said when I first became a minister that I could be counted on to make decisions; that is exactly what I have done in my portfolio, and what the Liberal–National government has done in its term of government. We can rest on our record. Over the course of this year we have continued to make decisions relating to agriculture and forestry that drive these industries forward. We have made advancements in trade relations, biosecurity and infrastructure, and we have also made every effort to encourage young people back into the sector. On top of that, we have been cleaning up the mess from the previous government. Let us look at a few examples of what has happened over the past 12 months. The dry season is one of the greatest challenges facing the agriculture community in Western Australia. We successfully negotiated a drought pilot, which is in place now. We are very pleased to have that in place on the ground considering the challenges that are out there. Recently the Premier and I announced a $5 million assistance package to support the challenges that are out there, and on top of that, the Premier has pledged that regional services will be maintained in those areas. Wheatbelt men’s health was another announcement made by this government this year, with $2.78 million from royalties for regions funds being allocated to a three-year program to expand that very essential service of supporting the mental health of the farming community—in particular, the males of that farming community. I mentioned over the past couple of weeks the significant markets that we have been successful in opening up for Western Australian farmers, such as a new 55 000-tonne shipment to the Saudi market for the first time in 20 years, and the first container-load of lupins being shipped into Surabaya, Indonesia. The member for Perth asked a question yesterday, and, of course, we have a sister state relationship with East Java, which is most important. The international grains forum will be held in Perth next month. That also reflects Western Australia’s increasing importance on the world stage. As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
(1)–(2) I said when I first became a minister that I could be counted on to make decisions; that is exactly what I have done in my portfolio, and what the Liberal–National government has done in its term of government. We can rest on our record. Over the course of this year we have continued to make decisions relating to agriculture and forestry that drive these industries forward. We have made advancements in trade relations, biosecurity and infrastructure, and we have also made every effort to encourage young people back into the sector. On top of that, we have been cleaning up the mess from the previous government. Let us look at a few examples of what has happened over the past 12 months. The dry season is one of the greatest challenges facing the agriculture community in Western Australia. We successfully negotiated a drought pilot, which is in place now. We are very pleased to have that in place on the ground considering the challenges that are out there. Recently the Premier and I announced a $5 million assistance package to support the challenges that are out there, and on top of that, the Premier has pledged that regional services will be maintained in those areas. Wheatbelt men’s health was another announcement made by this government this year, with $2.78 million from royalties for regions funds being allocated to a three-year program to expand that very essential service of supporting the mental health of the farming community—in particular, the males of that farming community. I mentioned over the past couple of weeks the significant markets that we have been successful in opening up for Western Australian farmers, such as a new 55 000-tonne shipment to the Saudi market for the first time in 20 years, and the first container-load of lupins being shipped into Surabaya, Indonesia. The member for Perth asked a question yesterday, and, of course, we have a sister state relationship with East Java, which is most important. The international grains forum will be held in Perth next month. That also reflects Western Australia’s increasing importance on the world stage. As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes.
As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes.
Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes.
The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
(2) Can the minister please inform the house of the important strategies that the government has put in place over the past year, including the recent announcement of the grain freight network, Muchea Livestock Centre and, of course, the timeliness of genetically modified crops? Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for his question; clearly, he is interested in agriculture. (1)–(2) I said when I first became a minister that I could be counted on to make decisions; that is exactly what I have done in my portfolio, and what the Liberal–National government has done in its term of government. We can rest on our record. Over the course of this year we have continued to make decisions relating to agriculture and forestry that drive these industries forward. We have made advancements in trade relations, biosecurity and infrastructure, and we have also made every effort to encourage young people back into the sector. On top of that, we have been cleaning up the mess from the previous government. Let us look at a few examples of what has happened over the past 12 months. The dry season is one of the greatest challenges facing the agriculture community in Western Australia. We successfully negotiated a drought pilot, which is in place now. We are very pleased to have that in place on the ground considering the challenges that are out there. Recently the Premier and I announced a $5 million assistance package to support the challenges that are out there, and on top of that, the Premier has pledged that regional services will be maintained in those areas. Wheatbelt men’s health was another announcement made by this government this year, with $2.78 million from royalties for regions funds being allocated to a three-year program to expand that very essential service of supporting the mental health of the farming community—in particular, the males of that farming community. I mentioned over the past couple of weeks the significant markets that we have been successful in opening up for Western Australian farmers, such as a new 55 000-tonne shipment to the Saudi market for the first time in 20 years, and the first container-load of lupins being shipped into Surabaya, Indonesia. The member for Perth asked a question yesterday, and, of course, we have a sister state relationship with East Java, which is most important. The international grains forum will be held in Perth next month. That also reflects Western Australia’s increasing importance on the world stage. As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for his question; clearly, he is interested in agriculture. (1)–(2) I said when I first became a minister that I could be counted on to make decisions; that is exactly what I have done in my portfolio, and what the Liberal–National government has done in its term of government. We can rest on our record. Over the course of this year we have continued to make decisions relating to agriculture and forestry that drive these industries forward. We have made advancements in trade relations, biosecurity and infrastructure, and we have also made every effort to encourage young people back into the sector. On top of that, we have been cleaning up the mess from the previous government. Let us look at a few examples of what has happened over the past 12 months. The dry season is one of the greatest challenges facing the agriculture community in Western Australia. We successfully negotiated a drought pilot, which is in place now. We are very pleased to have that in place on the ground considering the challenges that are out there. Recently the Premier and I announced a $5 million assistance package to support the challenges that are out there, and on top of that, the Premier has pledged that regional services will be maintained in those areas. Wheatbelt men’s health was another announcement made by this government this year, with $2.78 million from royalties for regions funds being allocated to a three-year program to expand that very essential service of supporting the mental health of the farming community—in particular, the males of that farming community. I mentioned over the past couple of weeks the significant markets that we have been successful in opening up for Western Australian farmers, such as a new 55 000-tonne shipment to the Saudi market for the first time in 20 years, and the first container-load of lupins being shipped into Surabaya, Indonesia. The member for Perth asked a question yesterday, and, of course, we have a sister state relationship with East Java, which is most important. The international grains forum will be held in Perth next month. That also reflects Western Australia’s increasing importance on the world stage. As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for his question; clearly, he is interested in agriculture. (1)–(2) I said when I first became a minister that I could be counted on to make decisions; that is exactly what I have done in my portfolio, and what the Liberal–National government has done in its term of government. We can rest on our record. Over the course of this year we have continued to make decisions relating to agriculture and forestry that drive these industries forward. We have made advancements in trade relations, biosecurity and infrastructure, and we have also made every effort to encourage young people back into the sector. On top of that, we have been cleaning up the mess from the previous government. Let us look at a few examples of what has happened over the past 12 months. The dry season is one of the greatest challenges facing the agriculture community in Western Australia. We successfully negotiated a drought pilot, which is in place now. We are very pleased to have that in place on the ground considering the challenges that are out there. Recently the Premier and I announced a $5 million assistance package to support the challenges that are out there, and on top of that, the Premier has pledged that regional services will be maintained in those areas. Wheatbelt men’s health was another announcement made by this government this year, with $2.78 million from royalties for regions funds being allocated to a three-year program to expand that very essential service of supporting the mental health of the farming community—in particular, the males of that farming community. I mentioned over the past couple of weeks the significant markets that we have been successful in opening up for Western Australian farmers, such as a new 55 000-tonne shipment to the Saudi market for the first time in 20 years, and the first container-load of lupins being shipped into Surabaya, Indonesia. The member for Perth asked a question yesterday, and, of course, we have a sister state relationship with East Java, which is most important. The international grains forum will be held in Perth next month. That also reflects Western Australia’s increasing importance on the world stage. As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
(1)–(2) I said when I first became a minister that I could be counted on to make decisions; that is exactly what I have done in my portfolio, and what the Liberal–National government has done in its term of government. We can rest on our record. Over the course of this year we have continued to make decisions relating to agriculture and forestry that drive these industries forward. We have made advancements in trade relations, biosecurity and infrastructure, and we have also made every effort to encourage young people back into the sector. On top of that, we have been cleaning up the mess from the previous government. Let us look at a few examples of what has happened over the past 12 months. The dry season is one of the greatest challenges facing the agriculture community in Western Australia. We successfully negotiated a drought pilot, which is in place now. We are very pleased to have that in place on the ground considering the challenges that are out there. Recently the Premier and I announced a $5 million assistance package to support the challenges that are out there, and on top of that, the Premier has pledged that regional services will be maintained in those areas. Wheatbelt men’s health was another announcement made by this government this year, with $2.78 million from royalties for regions funds being allocated to a three-year program to expand that very essential service of supporting the mental health of the farming community—in particular, the males of that farming community. I mentioned over the past couple of weeks the significant markets that we have been successful in opening up for Western Australian farmers, such as a new 55 000-tonne shipment to the Saudi market for the first time in 20 years, and the first container-load of lupins being shipped into Surabaya, Indonesia. The member for Perth asked a question yesterday, and, of course, we have a sister state relationship with East Java, which is most important. The international grains forum will be held in Perth next month. That also reflects Western Australia’s increasing importance on the world stage. As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes. Several members interjected. Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
As far as young people are concerned, we are continuing the drive to get young people back into agriculture. The Liberal–National government released a brochure at the Dowerin Field Day supporting some of those very good examples of young people in a variety of agriculture pursuits in the hope of encouraging others to go back into the sector. We recently launched a group called Harvest—a networking personal development group for young agriculture professionals in the city, and, again, people involved in the agri-business sector. With the support of the Minister for Education, the Liberal–National government has supported and secured the future of the Muresk Institute of Agriculture as a multiuse facility offering agricultural higher education and TAFE qualifications, short-term industry training and farm-based research, which is a significant step for the sector. As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes.
As far as economic development and research is concerned, we have put $30 million on the table towards the Australian Export Grain Innovation Centre, encouraging innovation and other sectors to partner with the WA government to support research and development and innovation in the agriculture and food sector in Western Australia. In addition, the decision was made to grow the first commercial crops of GM canola in Western Australia. There are 72 000 hectares of GM crop out there now. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it is going very well, and the farmers now have the choice of that technology, which we know will help to make them competitive on the international stage. Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes.
Back in May, the Premier and I opened the new Muchea Livestock Centre, comprising $54.5 million of key infrastructure to support the livestock industry in Western Australia. For the first time in 27 years we have rice growing on the Ord River irrigation area. That is a potential backbone crop for the East Kimberley development, and in the not-too-distant future there will be some very significant developments as far as the Ord – East Kimberley development is concerned. All eyes are on Western Australia as far as that is concerned. The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes.
The Minister for Transport recently announced investment in the grain freight network with $178.8 million of significant funding to support the future of the grains industry in Western Australia. As far as biosecurity is concerned, $8.8 million of royalties for regions funds has been allocated to upgrade the state barrier fence and to provide extra doggers to support the challenges faced by that biosecurity threat. An amount of $10 million has also been made available across the Western Australian agriculture sector for natural resource management. We have also put regulations in place to support industry funding schemes, so that industry can take control of its own biosecurity challenges. A $2.25 million quarantine facility was opened in Boulder. The list goes on. The government has tripled the cooperative company loan schemes to $60 million. We have campaigned for Buy West in support of Western Australian farmers. We have awards for Indigenous land services and the north eastern agriculture region strategy, and the Premier’s awards. We have launched Fresh Food Link, a service that operates as a register of small land holders and a database for interested farmers and wholesalers and retailers to come together. We have made legislative change. We have modernised the Department of Agriculture and Food with significant changes.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : It is good news that has happened, and that is only in this calendar year, and there is still a bit of time left to go until the end of the year! We can look forward to key announcements between now and the end of the year. The Liberal–National government can stand on its record. I stand on my record for making decisions. Members on the other side are against everything. We are moving forward.
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Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.