Primary industries to be battered by Nationals 3% budget cut
Published Thursday, 12 March, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin today said Lawrence Springborg’s plan to cut public sector funding will prevent ground-breaking research and development and reduce the effectiveness of Biosecurity Queensland.
Mr Mulherin said 12,000 public sector jobs would be lost, and vital services slashed under the National Party’s proposed three per cent productivity dividend across government.
“The plan by Mr Springborg will result in $11.3 million cut from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries budget. He wants that money to contribute to his election promises which have been costed at about $2.5 billion dollars,” Mr Mulherin said.
The Minister said the National Party’s 3% productivity dividend would see at least 150 jobs lost within the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in the next 12 months.
Mr Mulherin today challenged to Shadow Minister Ray Hopper to tell primary producers whether he supported Mr Springborg’s cuts.
“Mr Hopper should come and say whether he wants those cuts in his shadow portolio. Where do you stand Mr Hopper?
“This year, the Bligh Government announced a $342 million budget for Department of Primary Industries Fisheries and Mr Springborg wants to reduce that by $11.3 million,” he said.
“The Derpartment of Primary Industries Fisheries employs more than 2840 people, with 1994 people involved in front line services.
“More than 200 staff resigned or retired from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries last year and most of those were front line employees. Under the National Party’s plan most wouldn’t be replaced, dramatically reducing front line services.
Under Mr Springborg’s proposed productivity dividend, the Department of Primary Industries Fisheries would have to:
• cut vital research and development services, leading to a reduction in scientific breakthroughs in agriculture and aquaculture
or
• cut money from Biosecurity Queensland’s budget of $90 million which could lead to the outbreak of exotic pests and diseases or the further spread of class 2 weeds.
or
• make research and development with the sugar industry to improve the quality of water running into the reef “de-necessary.”
or
• dramatically reduce partnerships between the Derpartment of Primary Industries Fisheries and industry.
“Mr Springborg’s proposal leaves Queensland vulnerable to diminished responses to diseases Citrus Canker,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Slashing $11.3 million from the budget and getting rid of at least 150 staff members from front line services would dramatically reduce the effectiveness of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
Media contact: Matt Watson 3239 3120
Mr Mulherin said 12,000 public sector jobs would be lost, and vital services slashed under the National Party’s proposed three per cent productivity dividend across government.
“The plan by Mr Springborg will result in $11.3 million cut from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries budget. He wants that money to contribute to his election promises which have been costed at about $2.5 billion dollars,” Mr Mulherin said.
The Minister said the National Party’s 3% productivity dividend would see at least 150 jobs lost within the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries in the next 12 months.
Mr Mulherin today challenged to Shadow Minister Ray Hopper to tell primary producers whether he supported Mr Springborg’s cuts.
“Mr Hopper should come and say whether he wants those cuts in his shadow portolio. Where do you stand Mr Hopper?
“This year, the Bligh Government announced a $342 million budget for Department of Primary Industries Fisheries and Mr Springborg wants to reduce that by $11.3 million,” he said.
“The Derpartment of Primary Industries Fisheries employs more than 2840 people, with 1994 people involved in front line services.
“More than 200 staff resigned or retired from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries last year and most of those were front line employees. Under the National Party’s plan most wouldn’t be replaced, dramatically reducing front line services.
Under Mr Springborg’s proposed productivity dividend, the Department of Primary Industries Fisheries would have to:
• cut vital research and development services, leading to a reduction in scientific breakthroughs in agriculture and aquaculture
or
• cut money from Biosecurity Queensland’s budget of $90 million which could lead to the outbreak of exotic pests and diseases or the further spread of class 2 weeds.
or
• make research and development with the sugar industry to improve the quality of water running into the reef “de-necessary.”
or
• dramatically reduce partnerships between the Derpartment of Primary Industries Fisheries and industry.
“Mr Springborg’s proposal leaves Queensland vulnerable to diminished responses to diseases Citrus Canker,” Mr Mulherin said.
“Slashing $11.3 million from the budget and getting rid of at least 150 staff members from front line services would dramatically reduce the effectiveness of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
Media contact: Matt Watson 3239 3120