Increased investment and job security central to agriculture spending

Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson today confirmed increased funding for agriculture and fisheries and reiterated that the Palaszczuk Government was creating jobs in her department, not cutting them.

“As we approach the departmental Estimates hearing I anticipate the Opposition will claim that we have cut spending and cut the number of jobs in DAF,” Minister Donaldson said.

“I also predict that the LNP will irresponsibly attempt to spread fear among primary producers by claiming that we will be cutting services and programs.

“I can emphatically assert that is not the case.

“The Opposition has a track record of misreading official Budget documents to support false claims and I suspect more of the same when I appear before the Agriculture and Environment Committee Estimates hearing.

“The truth is that the department’s Budget for 2016-17 is $453.5 million – an increase of $3.8 million on the 2015-16 estimated actual.

“There will be no reduction in programs or services, nor will we be redirecting any services or funds to support the establishment of the Office of Rural Affairs.

“The 2016-17 State Budget provides for unprecedented support for producers and rural communities impacted by drought and the significant debt it has caused.

“The Rural Assistance and Drought Package is providing $77.9 million over five years.

“In 2016-17 DAF will invest approximately $75 million in agricultural research, development and extension to support our agricultural industries through new technologies and innovations,

“My focus, like that of my predecessor as Minister, the Member for Rockhampton, has been on stabilising and repairing Department that was hit hard by job and funding cuts during the Newman-Nicholls administration.

“Although the LNP is in denial about the terrible impact of its cuts to both DAF and the primary production sector the plain facts are that the number of full-time equivalent positions in DAF fell from 2589 to 1973 during the three years when Tim Nicholls was Treasurer.

“There was a 26% cut to Biosecurity Queensland staff.

“Since the LNP was booted out of office we have begun to repair the damage.

“Since the election in 2015 we have employed an additional 27.63 actual active full-time equivalent workers in Biosecurity Queensland, 17.23 in agriculture, including Agri-Science Queensland, and 9.2 in fisheries and forestry.

“The LNP’s stewardship of biosecurity was reckless and shambolic but there has been no recognition of guilt, no indication of regret or shame.

 “Instead of apologies there has been denial and false claims.

“That is why they simply can’t be trusted with such a vital service for the protection of our primary production.

“I can assure Queensland’s food and fibre producers that the Palaszczuk Government will never resort to the slash and burn tactics used by the LNP when Tim Nicholls was Treasurer.”

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