Jan Davis: The People have spoken

The election is all but over. The people have spoken and they have spoken clearly. Tasmania has returned to majority government under the Liberals and the state should be able to look forward to four years of stability.

As a membership organisation, the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association maintains a strongly apolitical stance. We have never taken sides in politics and we never will. In truth, we will talk to anyone; and I do exactly that, every day.

Tasmanian agriculture is one of the state’s key economic drivers. Primary industry output is worth almost $2 billion a year at farm gate and employs around one in six of every working Tasmanians. These figures clearly confirm the importance of the sector as an economic driver for the economy and demonstrate that agriculture is a more significant contributor to the Tasmanian economy than in any other state.

Every corner of our society is touched by the well-being of the farming sector. With this in mind, it is clear that Tasmania needs to ensure that the agricultural base of the state remains competitive and profitable.

While Tasmania has struggled economically over recent years, agriculture has been a showcase of the economic potential that this state has to offer. Our members therefore expect that political parties and candidates will recognise the important role agriculture plays within the economy and this will be reflected in their policies.

Our interest in politics is to deliver the best outcomes for farmers and agricultural businesses.

So, in mid-January, the TFGA wrote to the major parties contesting the state election seeking their policies for agriculture. We were seeking input so we could provide an analysis to ensure farmers (and those interested in a strong and expanding farm sector) had the best possible information when they were considering where to place their votes. That’s how a strong democracy works.

We asked for a response by the end of January. Unfortunately, I have to say that our requests for what one would think would be basic policy statements met with a less than satisfactory response.

Apart from the Liberals, the responses came in far too late to allow us to undertake meaningful scrutiny. Most arrived on the Tuesday and Wednesday; but we did not receive the Greens policy until late on Thursday afternoon. That was disappointing, as we were keen to provide a detailed analysis of all policy positions.

Now they have been elected to office, the Liberals have committed to wide-ranging reforms in agricultural policy; and we look forward to working with them to see these commitments implemented. We are also keen to assist the incoming government in delivering the agriculture components of its 100-day plan to get the economy moving again.

They have committed $30 million to the second tranche of irrigation schemes, as did Labor, but they will also spend $500,000 to explore the potential for widening the network of schemes by connecting up to older schemes, such as the one at Cressy, to modernise them and bring irrigation water onto farms not currently served. That is a commendable move.

Of particular note is the incoming government’s commitment to review the Primary Industry Activities Protection Act 1995, which establishes, at law, the right of a farmer to continue their farming activities without unnecessary interference. If people choose to move into rural areas, they have to realise that farms were there first and for that for farmers life must go on. That might involve some levels of noise, night time work, dust, and, yes, the aromas of the farm. It’s all part of living in the country.

We will welcome the long-overdue establishment of a Good Neighbour Charter that sets out the state’s commitment to meet standard expectations in terms of the management of pests and weeds, boundary fences and fire to limit impacts on adjoining property owners. With more than half the state in some form of government ownership, this is of great concern to farmers.

The establishment of a specific unit within government to drive delivery on agriculture policies has been highlighted as a key plank in the Liberal’s agriculture policy. That will be a very welcome move.

We will also be putting some effort into re-establishing relationships with the incoming opposition, to ensure we work with them to extend and expand their understanding of the issues affecting farmers in this state.

Farmers expect the newly-elected government to provide an environment that will allow them to grow and develop their businesses. They expect the opposition parties to hold the government accountable for their promises.

And we’ll be there, every step of the way, making sure that farmers can get on with what they do best, that is, producing some of the best fibre and food in the world.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Jan Davis Mercury column today