Inside Briefs

NFF House, 14-16 Brisbane Ave, Barton ACT 2600. PO Box E10, Kingston ACT 2604. t 02 6273 3855 f 02 6273 2331 w www.nff.org.au

Date: 11 February 2010

NORTHERN LAND & WATER TASKFORCE REPORT

THE release of the final Northern Land and Water Taskforce Report has raised a few eyebrows, including those of taskforce member NFF President David Crombie. While the report takes an understandably conservative approach given the lack of research data, the NFF rejects the argument that the report rules out agricultural development or expansion in northern Australia. The data gaps revealed in the report only serve to highlight the need for a greater research effort to unlock the potential northern Australia has to offer. While claims of northern Australia becoming a new ‘food bowl’ – like the Murray-Darling Basin – have been overstated, there is no doubt potential exists and Australia needs to explore it.

A copy of the report is available online at: http://www.nalwt.gov.au.

NFF Contact: Deb Kerr.

NATION PLAN NEEDED ON R&D AGRICULTURE

Minister Tony Burke’s Rural Research and Development Council has released a series of discussion papers and called for feedback on the development of the National Strategic Rural Research and Development Investment Plan. The discussion papers consider the history behind Australia’s rural R&D system, its current operation and future challenges. A survey has been posted on the DAFF website, with a call for responses by 19 February.

Copies of the papers along with the survey are here:

 http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/innovation/council/survey

While the papers include discussion on the Rural Research and Development Corporations, they also consider how CSIRO, the Cooperative Research Centres, Universities, State Governments and private industry all contribute to the R&D that underpins innovation in agriculture. The NFF is currently drafting its response and is interested in discussing these issues with members who are also considering a response. NFF Contact: Sam Nelson.

NFF PUSHES TAX ZONE REVAMP

WITH the Government receiving the Henry Review into taxation, speculation in Canberra is rife regarding its contents. One of the key elements the NFF raised in the Review was tax zone rebates and that need to revamp the existing measures to ensure that they deliver meaningful impetus for Australia’s regional development policy. The issue of tax zones becomes even more poignant in light of the Government’s Intergenerational Report, revealing Australia’s domestic population set to hit 36 million by 2050. Government policies must ensure regional Australia is an attractive option for people to live and work. Further, analysis by the Australian Farm Institute shows that the cost of essential services for regional Australians is up to five times greater than in metropolitan areas. Overlaying carbon policies would see these exorbitant costs blow out even further for fuel and energy, with many regional Australians forced to travel great distances and having lack of public transport options. For these reasons the NFF asserts that now is the time to be revisiting the design of Australia’s tax zone rebate.

The NFF’s Federal Budget Submission 2010, containing the call for a tax zone revamp, is available online at: http://www.nff.org.au/read/2480681176.html

NFF Contact: Charlie McElhone.

IF YOU WERE AGRICULTURE MINISTER

IF YOU’VE ever thought ‘I could do a better job if I was Minister for Agriculture’, then this is your chance. The Australian Farm Institute (AFI) is giving you the opportunity to tell the world what you think Australia’s agriculture policies should look like – and win $500!

If you were the Australian Minister for Agriculture, what would be your goals for the future of Australian agriculture, and what measures or programs would you implement to achieve them?

Given that 2010 is an election year, this is a great opportunity for all armchair agricultural policy-makers to have their views heard and put in front of politicians at a critical time. Who knows – perhaps some of your policy ideas might even be adopted and implemented! The winning contributions will be printed in the May edition of the Farm Policy Journal along with those of other invited contributors.

 Entrants in the competition are required to write a short essay titled ‘If I were the Australian Minister for Agriculture’. A judging panel consisting of Institute staff and senior policy-makers will have the task of selecting two winning entries. Participants in the competition must be either full-time farmers, tertiary students or agribusiness participants.

Entries close 5pm on Friday 26th March 2010. For more details visit: http://www.farminstitute.org.au.

9th WORLD SHEEP & WOOL CONGRESS

 REGISTRATION kits are available for the 9th World Sheep and Wool Congress, to be held at Rosehill in Sydney from 6-9 April 2010. Staged in one of the world’s sheep producing nations every three years and, with Australia hosting the 2010 event, around 1,000 international sheep and wool producers and agribusiness delegates are expected. Sheepmeat Council of Australia President Kate Joseph will share insights on Australia’s success in turning the lamb industry around with delegates from over 14 countries.

For more information visit: http://www.worldsheepandwoolcongress.com/