The Federal Budget handed down last week made for sobering reading for anyone who cares about food security, strengthening environmental outcomes and resilient regional and rural communities.
Unfortunately the Opposition’s reply on Thursday night did little to calm the nerves.
Details revealed in the budget – such as the Labor government’s renewed and clear determination to tax unrealised gains on Superannuation Funds, continuing uncertainty around diesel fuel rebates, near silence on critical and much-needed reform to infrastructure, biosecurity, environment and water to name but a few – give little encouragement.
It was also clear in the Opposition’s reply that our agriculture industry is way down their priority list, particularly given what an important speech it was, with the pending federal election now confirmed for May 3.
As at the time of writing we are yet to hear much from the independents and minor parties on their positions, as they all now prepare for this short and sharp election campaign.
Indeed, a lot of our work over the coming weeks leading up to election day will be focused on trying to extract as much detail as possible from all parties on their policies and undertakings for our industry, and more broadly for regional and rural Australia.
So, here’s the opportunity for all of us as we head into the Federal Election.
If ever there was a time – it is right now.
We need to have as many conversations with as many candidates for the upcoming federal election as possible in coming weeks.
It’s sometimes exhausting, and you might wonder if your lone voice makes a difference.
The reality is though, if we are engaged as much as possible with our candidates, our collective voice is more likely to be heard.
Conversations, letters to the paper and working our social media are examples of useful activities along with going to any events or stops put on by the candidates as they run their campaigns.
You’ll hear a lot from AgForce’s general president Shane McCarthy over the next few weeks as we give as much visibility as we can to the conversations that have profound impacts on our collective futures.
On our website and social media we’ll provide material you can use in your own conversations.
Our collective power, fundamentally, will come from as many people having as many conversations (in person and virtually) as possible, to have our voice heard at every moment and event of this critically short five week campaign.
And of course, this is all happening as we see further flooding and challenges unfolding across some of our state.
AgForce is working hard with the Queensland state government and Emergency Services to put in place the necessary supports as the scale of this latest disaster unfolds.
There are updated links on the AgForce website and social media pages to important information about this emergency.
