Labor
THE ALP’S POSITION
Food security centres on addressing how Australia can help feed a growing world population while still being able to feed itself. Food Security policies stretch across the portfolios of Agriculture, Trade, Environment, Infrastructure and Regional Development.
National Food Plan
The Coalition has continually criticised Labor for its lack of MPs from rural electorates on the frontbench, suggesting that this has resulted in a neglect of agriculture and rural issues. Yet in May, in the face of this criticism, Labor released its comprehensive National Food Plan, an election commitment from 2010. It is a cross-portfolio initiative providing funding to assist market development (particularly in Asia) and to improve the marketing of Australian produce. The National Food Plan is the centrepiece of Labor’s culture/food security initiatives, and it also includes a Productivity Commission review into further reforms.
Live export trade
Labor temporarily banned the live export cattle trade back in 2011, a decision much-described as a “knee-jerk” reaction to a TV current affairs program. The ban led directly to a market slowdown, supply glut, and crash in cattle prices nationwide. Labor has now committed to continuing the trade while also striving to enhance in-destination animal welfare practices. Labor has promised additional independent oversight of the Export Supply Chain Assurance Scheme (ESCAS) by creating a statutory Inspector-General for Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports.
Foreign investment
Labor supports foreign investment in Australian agricultural land, water and agribusiness, though will develop a national register of all sales of rural land and water to foreign buyers.
Drought assistance
Labor announced its National Drought Program reform in the 2013-14 Federal Budget and doing so ended the pre-existing Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance and interest-rate subsidies. The reform included $100 million “hardship assistance” welfare for farmers. Labor see these reforms as encouraging farmers to prepare for drought rather than wait for relief.
Farm debt
As part of its Farm Finance package Labor has promised to work with other governments, banks and farmers to develop a consistent national approach to farm debt relief. This includes 16 additional Rural Financial Counsellors nationwide and $420 million over two years for concessional loans for “viable” farmers. Only Queensland, Victoria and NSW have so far formally signed on to the package.
Murray Darling Basin Plan
Labor supports the release of up to 3,200GL of water back to the basin.
Coal Seam Gas
Labor established the Independent Scientific Expert Panel to provide independent advice on environmental impact of proposed CSG projects, and (as a consequence of the persistence of Independent MP Tony Windsor) introduced a ‘Water Trigger’ which provides the Federal Environment Minister with the power to veto large coal mine and CSG projects on the basis of their impact on water resources.
Climate change
Labor introduced the Carbon Farming Initiative and has since approved 13 systems for generating carbon credits, including several for pig and dairy farmers.
Coalition
THE COALITION’S POSITION
The Nationals describe themselves as “the party for regional Australia”. Should the Coalition succeed in forming Government those values will come to fore as The Nationals are entrusted with the senior portfolios of Agriculture, Trade and Regional Development. Alongside their leader and Deputy Prime Minister (Warren Truss MP) it can be expected that The Nationals will provide a strong voice around the Cabinet table for regional Australia.
Live Export
Since 2011 the Coalition has lambasted the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd Governments over what they claim is the mishandling of the live export trade. The Coalition remains committed to continuing the live export trade, and while supportive of the ESCAS believes the system has caused damage to Australia’s trading relationships. A Coalition Government has no intention of introducing an Inspector-General for Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports.
Foreign investment
The Coalition supports foreign investment in Australian agricultural land, water and agribusiness and has released a discussion paper indicating in-principle support for a national register of all foreign agriculture-related investment; lowering the $244 million price threshold that currently triggers Foreign Investment Review Board assessment of sales to foreign, non-sovereign entities; and the appointment of person with “agricultural expertise” to the Foreign Investments Review Board.
In the face of this Coalition policy however, The Nationals are pushing the Liberal Party to, in Government, reject the sale of GrainCorp to the international agribusiness Archer Daniels Midland. The Nationals believe the sale of GrainCorp’s virtual monopoly on eastern grains storage and transport infrastructure is not in the national interest.
Northern Australia development
The Coalition released a paper outlining a range of potential opportunities to develop Northern Australia by 2030, and has committed to produce a White Paper for Northern Australian development within 12 months if elected. The White Paper will set-out a policy platform for promoting the development of Northern Australia, defining policies for developing the North to 2030, including an outline for the implementation of these policies over the next two, five, ten and twenty years.
Drought Assistance
The Coalition supports a focus on drought-preparedness rather than mere welfare relief. The Coalition is considering more favourable taxation measures for farmers, including possible changes to the Farm Management Deposit scheme.
Farm Debt
The Coalition supports the delivery of Labor’s Farm Finance debt-relief package for farmers
Murray Darling Basin Plan
The Coalition supports the plan, yet disagrees with Labor’s view that the Plan includes an implicit cap on buybacks of irrigators’ water entitlement. The Coalition has promised to legislate to explicitly cap government buybacks of irrigators’ water entitlements at 1,500GL.
Coal Seam Gas
The Coalition is still in the process of finalising its Coal Seam Gas policy. The Coalition supports CSG exploration with landholder permission and a science-based approvals process, and supports 2km buffer zones around towns of more than 1,000 people. The Coalition supports the Independent Scientific Expert Panel, and supported Tony Windsor’s ‘Water Trigger’ amendment when it was introduced to parliament.
Climate Change
The Coalition has promised, as its first action in Government, to repeal carbon pricing. The Coalition will, however, keep the Carbon Farming Initiative under its ‘Direct Action’ policy as means of sequestering carbon, particularly on marginal land.
