Queensland Treasurer the Hon Cameron Dick handed down his fourth state budget yesterday.
Dubbed the ‘Cost of Living, Big Build’ budget, the 2023-24 Queensland State Budget is heavily focused on measures to alleviate cost of living pressures as well as significant investment in building and infrastructure.
Direct support for Queensland agriculture included a $550 million investment in the agriculture budget, with boosts for biosecurity, including fire ant eradication funding, and new permanent positions to protect Queensland’s biosecurity.
“Investing in biosecurity is ultimately an investment in all Queenslanders and we welcome funding allocations to further uplift our biosecurity preparedness and capability,” said Queensland Farmers’ Federation CEO, Jo Sheppard.
“It is critical that we build biosecurity capacity at a national and state level but also at a regional and local level and to achieve that we need strong engagement with industry and all relevant stakeholders.
“QFF looks forward to working closely with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Queensland to ensure effective outcomes on the ground and across all areas of Queensland agriculture.”
The budget points to $89 billion to be invested in a four-year capital program which includes approximately $19 billion total capital investment over four years to support the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, with investment in new renewable energy generation, storage, and transmission.
“QFF is pleased to see the inclusion of a $35 million investment for the Queensland Business Energy Saving and Transformation Program, which includes targeted support for agriculture to enable advice and contribution to energy efficiency measures and infrastructure,” said Ms Sheppard.
“Energy is an important input for agriculture, and it is vital that farming enterprises are supported to make the right energy investment decisions and achieve sustainable, long term energy efficiency.”
Maintaining and enhancing transport and freight infrastructure is incredibly important to supporting agricultural supply chains and the $6.9 million allocated to transport infrastructure is a welcomed boost. However, QFF is keen to unpack the details around the budget allocation to develop and implement the Queensland Freight Action Plan 2023-2025 in partnership with industry stakeholders.
An additional $53.5 million in 2023–24 has also been allocated for the Industry Partnership Program to incentivise emerging industries, target supply chain gaps, create jobs and strengthen Queensland’s economy.
“Supply chain disruptions have been very challenging for all agricultural industries and QFF are looking for further details around this program to better understand what opportunities it might support for building supply chain resilience for agriculture,” said Ms Sheppard.
Resilience support was also announced for farmers to prepare for future droughts including a $5 million allocation for relief from fixed charges for pumping water during periods of drought.
The budget also confirmed $22.8 million over two years to continue the government’s commitment to discount irrigation prices by 15 per cent for one additional year. This is a result of the decision to cap all Sunwater and Seqwater irrigation prices at Queensland Competition Authority assessed cost recovery levels from 2023–24.
In addition, $1.7 billion has been earmarked for water infrastructure and planning commitments, including the safety improvement works and raising of the Burdekin Falls Dam, Paradise Dam works and the completion of Rookwood Weir.
Ms Shepard said QFF are pleased to see several commitments to Queensland’s regional communities across health, housing, and business support.
$586.1 million has been allocated in a new 10-year agreement with LifeFlight Australia to deliver vital emergency helicopter services to the bush along with investments in housing and rural hospital services and mental health support.
“Strong regional communities are important in supporting a viable future for agriculture and initiatives that support the level of services provided in regional Queensland alongside supporting liveability benefit the entire agricultural supply chain.” Ms Sheppard said.
However, QFF continues to share more broadly held concerns regarding what lies ahead in the coming years for the Queensland economy.
“With the budget expected to bounce back into a deficit position within just 12 months, it is clear that the priority must be building business and community resilience,” Ms Sheppard said.
“Being able to access affordable and reliable energy, food and housing is critical to the future of all Queenslanders, as is building our productivity as a state, across the private and public sector, to be able to achieve more with less and get on top of inflation.
Ms Sheppard said QFF is looking forward to strong engagement and the ongoing opportunity to ensure Queensland agriculture has a seat at the table and is able to contribute to building a strong future for the organisations’ members, the 14,000 farmers it collectively represents and the rural communities in which these farming enterprises operate.
“QFF encourages the government to work closely with industry and communities to ensure a streamlined and effective approach as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead, acknowledging that while there is always particular focus on the dollar amounts during budget announcements, how the commitments are delivered on the ground is equally important.”
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Media contact:
Anna Jones, Corporate Partnerships and Communications Manager, QFF
E: partnerships@qff.org.au
M: 0481 395 623