It was revealed in today’s Budget Estimates hearings the value of Tasmania’s primary industries will continue growing regardless of the pre-election target set by the Liberal Government.
Shadow Primary Industries Minister David Llewellyn said the Liberals had simply jumped on the bandwagon when it set a target to grow the sector to $10 billion by 2050.
“The agricultural sector has been growing by about 4 per cent each year for the past 25 years.
“Mr Rockliff is effectively saying he will double the farm gate value of primary industries but it will take 35 years.
“The Liberals picked a big number as an ’aspirational’ target, knowing there was every chance it would happen with minimal effort from them.
“A more realistic target would be to double the farm gate value in 10 years.
“The Government is simply expecting an easy ride.
“The work of previous governments when it comes to the roll out of irrigation schemes and the growth of our salmon industry laid a solid foundation for the farm gate value to continue increasing.
“If Mr Rockliff is serious about his approach driving faster growth he should set a shorter time frame to be judged on.”
David Llewellyn MP Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
