TFGA welcomes the turnaround and positive outlook of the 2015/16 State Budget

“This is the positive news Tasmanians have been waiting for,” Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association president Wayne Johnston said today.

“Treasurer Peter Gutwein has delivered the document that plots the state’s course back to economic stability with the prospect of prosperity. Rural industries have the infrastructure commitments they sought,” Mr Johnston said.

“It is hard to imagine that we are now just a year away from a Budget that is back in the black, with the promise of a cumulative surplus of $310 million by 2018/19. That makes us so much more competitive.”

He said the major features for agriculture were:

• A major biosecurity upgrade at airports and the TT Line terminal and quarantine health measures, such as truck washing facilities, beyond the ports;
• Confirmation of the $30 million to Tasmanian Irrigation to go with the Australian Government’s $60 million to complete Tranche 2 schemes;
• $885,000 for skills development to improve farm safety;
• $5 million to the Regional Revival Fund to upgrade social and economic infrastructure;
• No funding for Forestry Tasmania’s commercial operations but $4 million for its firefighting capabilities;
• $1 million for farm forestry development to improve returns from residues;
• $1 million over four years to grow private agroforestry sector.

“This is a confidence-building Budget for all Tasmanians. Now we have to pick up the ball and play our part,” Mr Johnston said.
TFGA president Wayne Johnston