Federal budget ‘wholesome’ but lacks sizzle for rural Australia

THE NSW Farmers’ Association is describing the 2018 Federal Budget as ‘wholesome’ but lacking sizzle for rural, remote and regional Australia.

NSW Farmers’ president Derek Schoen said investment in biosecurity, GPS and satellite imagery, agricultural freight, and the extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off were among the positive announcements for the Australian agricultural industry.

“We welcome investment in biosecurity to enhance our clean and green credentials which will help to grow the value of agriculture,” Mr Schoen said.

“A new $6.6 million allocation for established pest and weeds will certainly not go astray. Tackling invasive species is one of the biggest cost imposts on farmers and the natural environment, and this is a notoriously under-resourced space.

“We’ll be seeking to ensure investment is made in projects that can have direct impact on the ground.

“We’re also pleased to see a $260 million commitment to improve GPS and satellite imagery, but disappointed there is no new commitment to further address mobile blackspots.

“Poor telecommunication service is a major problem for a lot of our members. Some of our farmers can’t even make a phone call or send a text from their farm. The Government’s failure to commit additional funding to the Mobile Blackspot Program is a big let-down for regional communities.

“This is a wholesome budget but it’s fair to say we were expecting more agriculture-specific announcements,” Mr Schoen said.