Wed, 14th May 2008

Primary industry productivity attacked by Labor Budget

Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

“I guess the biggest issue, from the city, you tend to have a perception of farm as lifestyle rather than farm as business". Minister Burke Daily Telegraph P 11 25/2/2008

Labor’s first budget will destroy rural productivity, said Senator Scullion today.

“This is the stark reality that will result from over $16 million dollars being ripped out of the governments Productive, Innovative and Competitive support programs.

“Advancing Australian Agriculture programs including Farm Help, cut by $3.4 million, Advancing Agricultural Industries, cut by $5.9 million and the Food Innovation Grants program was totally abolished in last nights budget.

“Rural and farm businesses are suffering through one of the worst drought in memory and now the Labor government comes over the top and rips away the programs that are assisting farm businesses remain competitive and viable, said Senator Scullion.

“One small victory for rural people and businesses was the back flip by government to no longer abolish the $47.7 million Apprenticeship Incentives for Agriculture and Horticulture scheme.

“The plan to cut this was simply discriminating against rural industries given that other trades already receiving benefits.

“There is no money allocated for this initiative. Instead the department must find the money from other programs with no indication of what will be cut or abolished to fund it.

The farm sector, which underpins 12% of GDP must not be short-changed under the government’s so called ‘Education Investment Fund’, said Senator Scullion.