The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) congratulates all Ministers appointed to the new 18-member State Cabinet and looks forward to working constructively with eight key portfolios over the next term to deliver a thriving and vibrant agriculture sector in the interest of farmers, regional communities and the state:
- Dr Anthony Lynham – Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy
- Mark Furner – Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries
- Leeanne Enoch – Minister for Environment & the Great Barrier Reef, Science and the Arts
- Cameron Dick – Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Manufacturing
- Mark Bailey – Minister for Transport and Main Roads
- Shannon Fentiman – Minister for Employment & Small Business, Training & Skills Development
- Grace Grace – Minister for Education and Industrial Relations
- Jackie Trad – Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Partnerships.
President Stuart Armitage said that QFF and its members looked forward to getting down to business to further Queensland’s $20 billion agricultural sector.
“It is essential that an effective and influential Agricultural Ministerial Advisory Council (AgMac) is quickly established. We must be able to get relevant ministers around an objective, solutions-focused table to appropriately deal with the multi-dimensional and cross-portfolio issues that modern agriculture faces,” said Mr. Armitage.
“It is also important that the returned government quickly picks up and progresses issues such as electricity tariff reforms, a Solar Planning Guideline (and Code) and general planning reforms, bulk water pricing, Condamine Alluvium groundwater buybacks, Local Management Arrangements, the statewide water measurement and compliance audit, and removing stamp duty on agricultural insurance, that were put on hold when the election was called.”
“Our sector needs a stable, consistent government that can deliver a clear and well-articulated vision. QFF is ready to work constructively with the new Ministry to help realise this and will judge each member on the merits of their commitment and results for our sector, not on their postcode.”