The upcoming federal election represents a unique opportunity to deliver essential investment to regional Australia, strengthening the agriculture sector and supporting local communities, GrainGrowers said today.
GrainGrowers today released its priorities for the upcoming federal election, Grains for Growth, Investing in Australia's Agricultural Future. Within this comprehensive list GrainGrowers details a range of focused asks covering regional Australia, grain supply chains and the environment.
GrainGrowers’ Chair Rhys Turton said it was vital regional investment was prioritised by all sides of politics.
"We have outlined sensible, workable solutions for where action can be taken to unlock the economic potential of regional Australia."
"The priorities we have outlined would boost local areas, enhancing productivity, reducing inflationary pressures and building a strong and sustainable future across our regions."
"The grains industry plays a vital role in the national economy, with 22,500 grain farm businesses contributing $33 billion to the Australian economy and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs in Australian regions and cities."
A range of economic and social constraints must be addressed to strengthen grain-growing regions and bridge the gap between urban centres and the bush. Initiatives include:
- Increased funding for Early Childhood Education and Care.
- Targeted investment in regional housing.
- Improved telecommunications through better service monitoring and surveillance.
- Improved engagement with communities in managing the energy transition.
- Access to critical inputs through a well-funded and well-managed agricultural chemical regulator.
- Appropriate biosecurity funding with improved accountability.
The increased productivity and efficiency of the supply chain is critical to the long-term viability of the Australian grain industry. With estimated transport costs of $2.1 billion per annum, considering diverse, complex and multi-directional freight journeys, supply chain costs have a significant and direct impact that threatens the international competitiveness of the Australian grain industry. Initiatives in this area includes:
- Increased local road funding through the Roads to Recovery Program.
- Targeted funding for key regional freight corridors to improve freight productivity and climate resilience.
- A dedicated stream of funding for bridge upgrades.
- Reform of the Performance Based Standards scheme to streamline red tape and improve access to the scheme for agricultural operators.
- Targeted funding to upgrade critical grain rail freight corridors.
In the area of climate change, the platform details a range of initiatives designed to assist growers in contributing to mitigation and adaption, supporting sector decarbonisation, and tapping into new opportunities for innovation and growth. The initiatives include:
- Targeted grants for critical low-carbon liquid fuel processing infrastructure.
- The establishment of a joint industry-government working group to develop a National Feedstock Strategy.
- Leveraging government initiatives such as the National Reconstruction Fund, the Future Made in Australia Fund or other mechanisms to deliver a local, cleaner manufacturing base.
- Increased funding to build adaptive capacity and resilience to respond to climate change.
- The streamlining and simplification of agricultural greenhouse gas accounting.
- The development of skills in regional communities to promote the uptake of sustainable practices and improve environmental performance.
Mr Turton said the proposed initiatives would strengthen grain regions, making them vibrant places to work, live and play.
"Regional Australia is all too often overlooked, but sensible targeted policy settings and strategic investments can help communities and farmers thrive."
"The 2025 election is a key opportunity to implement change. Working cooperatively with industry, government has the opportunity to meet evolving challenges, while at the same time boosting support for regional Australia," Mr Turton said.
Further details on GrainGrowers’ Federal Election priorities are available via GrainGrowers website.
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Media contact: Chris Rowley
P: 0415 140 253 | Email chris.rowley@graingrowers.com.au | www.graingrowers.com.au