Queensland’s Deputy Premier and Treasurer the Hon. Cameron Dick has today handed down his fifth Queensland State Budget with a strong focus on relieving cost of living pressures.
Electricity, public transport and vehicle registration concessions were among the announcements, alongside the extension of the first homeowner concession.
Overall, the 2024-25 Budget saw $715 million allocated to agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.
For regional communities, Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) CEO Jo Sheppard said a $100 million investment from the Queensland and Commonwealth governments over three years into disaster resilience and mitigation infrastructure is positive.
“We need long term investment in a strong climate adaptation strategy because Queensland farmers will be dealing with significant weather events long after we reach net zero,” Ms Sheppard said.
Biosecurity has received an uplift, with $6.5 million committed over 4 years in addition to $1.6 million ongoing annually to strengthen biosecurity capability.
“We are expecting biosecurity risks in the regions to increase fourfold in the coming years, and we need to be preparing now,” Ms Sheppard said.
“This increased investment is good news, but we still need to improve collaboration across all levels of government, industry, and community to ensure effective biosecurity outcomes on the ground.
“We also need to not lose sight of opportunities to further bolster government investment into biosecurity from other avenues, including a contribution from those sectors that are contributing to increased risks.
“The uplift in funding is good news, but there is still more we need to do if we are going to adequately prepare for and mitigate future biosecurity risks.”
The Rural Economic Development Grants Program also received a boost with $3.3 million in funding announced in 2024-25 for the program’s seventh Round.
“We look forward to gaining more details on the continuation of the Rural Economic Development Grants Program,” Ms Sheppard said.
“Regional Queensland is set to see increased economic activity in the coming years and it is essential that regional communities are supported to leverage the benefits, and not have their already stretched infrastructure and services burdened by this activity.”
It was positive to see some investment in workforce training and skilling, which is a critical investment area for Queensland agriculture.
“For farm businesses to maintain their productivity and profitability it is essential that we build capacity not only for today’s requirements, but to meet industry demands for a future ready agricultural workforce,” Ms Sheppard said.
“QFF are keen to see some of the investments announced in this space directed to support industry-led training initiatives like SmartAg Queensland which are successfully responding to industry priorities in relation to training and skill development.
The $32 million that has been flagged for bore capping to continue to build the capacity within the Great Artesian Basin is a positive and sees the continuation of a very important, long standing water security initiative. This funding was announced as part of a $1.1 billion total investment in water initiatives with more than $1 billion committed to water security projects, including improvements to dams and pipelines.
As predicted, this year’s budget delivered a $3 billion deficit in contrast to last year’s surplus signaling a cautionary time ahead for Queensland.
“During budget time, there is a focus on the investment dollars, and rightly so, however equally important is how the funded initiatives are delivered on the ground,” Ms Sheppard said.
“QFF will continue to work with the Queensland Government, on behalf of our members and the Queensland agriculture sector more broadly to achieve the best outcome for farmers across the state.
“Rural communities, the Queensland economy and Australian consumers need a strong future for agriculture.”
-ENDS-
Media contact:
Anna Jones
Corporate Partnerships and Communications Manager, QFF
E: partnerships@qff.org.au
M: 0481 395 623