An election platform which seeks political party support for policies driving nutritional health, regional jobs and on-farm sustainability and productivity was launched by Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) today.
Says ADF president Rick Gladigau: “This upcoming election provides a great opportunity for the Australian dairy industry. We need policy settings that support our industry’s economic recovery.”
“The dairy sector can play a key role in supporting the Australian Government’s COVID-19 recovery and regionalisation agendas, and its pledge to set the foundations for the agriculture sector to grow to $100 billion by 2030.”
“The federal election provides a defining moment in the Australian dairy industry’s ability to achieve our sustainability targets.”
The ADF 2022 Federal Election Policy Statement outlines the national policy and advocacy organisation’s key priorities ahead of the Australian federal election that must be held before the end of May.
“These priorities will support the dairy industry in the short and long term”, says Mr Gladigau.
The statement was finalised following consultation with ADF members and stakeholders.
The ADF 2022 Federal Election Policy Statement will steer ADF’s advocacy throughout the election. It includes three guiding objectives:
- Improve nutritional health in Australia and abroad
- Grow jobs and liveability in the regions with planning and investment
- Increase sustainability and productivity through innovation and markets
Under these three objectives there are 14 strategies and 38 actions for political parties to adopt as part of their election policies.
ADF CEO David Inall says the focus for ADF early in the New Year will be to meet with key representatives of all the major political parties and brief them on this election policy platform.
“Next year’s federal election provides for a timely opportunity for Australia’s dairy farmers to engage in this important political process and discuss those issues that matter to their future success,” says Mr Inall.
Craig Hough, ADF’s Director, Policy and Strategy, says that despite dairy foods’ nutritional value – including essential vitamins and minerals like calcium – many people in Australia and overseas are not consuming their recommended amounts.
“ADF is calling on politicians to address misleading product labelling and marketing, including from plant-based alternatives to dairy, as well as trade barriers and supply chain constraints,” Mr Hough says.
“The Federal Government has enormous power to help resolve malnutrition and health ailments in residential aged care by increasing dairy consumption for residents. This responds to recent research by University of Melbourne and findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care.”
To grow jobs and liveability in regional areas, the ADF is asking for $300 million in funding for the National Agriculture Workforce Strategy and for government to make the National Farmers Federation lead the evaluation of the Agriculture Visa pilot and completion of its design.
Says Mr Gladigau: “The Australian dairy industry has a great story to tell in terms of improving the way it cares for people, animals and the planet, while continuing to improve farm productivity and profitability.
“Take for example the Australian Dairy Industry Sustainability Framework, which has been in place for almost a decade. This is a great basis for governments to co-invest with industry and accelerate technology and other pathways to help dairy farmers in their role as environmental stewards.”
Other environmental strategies in the policy platform include investing in the recommendations of the Dairy Industry Adaptation Pathways and Northeast Dairy Climate Futures projects; implementing the recommendations of the Productivity Commission’s evaluation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan; and providing a second round of the Energy Efficient Communities Program – Dairy Farming Grants.
“Essentially, we’re seeking government policy and support to secure the recovery of our industry and economy by making our people and planet healthier,” Mr Gladigau says.
To download the ADF 2022 Federal Election Policy Statement visit https://australiandairyfarmers.com.au/policy-advisory-groups/election-platform/
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About Australian Dairy Farmers
Australian Dairy Farmers is the recognised national policy and advocacy organisation working to improve profitability and sustainability of dairy farming in Australia. Representing Australia’s six dairying states, Australian Dairy Farmers state membership comprises representatives from Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. These state bodies are known as State Dairy Farmer Organisation (SDFO). Australian Dairy Farmers provides the SDFOs with support and representation on a national level.
For further information, contact:
Mark Paterson
Currie
Tel: 0409 411 110