Better connectivity and workforce certainty are the main things farmers want from the two major parties ahead of the general election on Saturday, according to an industry body.
 The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) today released its final election scorecard to reveal inadequacies in the telecommunications and transport infrastructure policies of both the major parties, as well as serious concern surrounding the backpacker tax.
But NFF president Brent Finlay says he is happy that commitments have been made by The Coalition on mobile blackspots and water infrastructure, and by Labor in matching funding for blackspots, new innovation hubs and a re-commitment to agricultural research.
“These are areas we know require bipartisan agreement on the long-term investment that will lead to increases in production efficiencies, and to the sector’s ability to deliver substantial benefits to rural and regional communities,” Finlay says.
“Throughout this election campaign we have sought to communicate just how great the opportunities for Australian agriculture are in the global marketplace and what this could mean for all of Australia, as it seeks to fill the gap left by the declining resources industry.”
The five policy priority areas of the NFF this election include building a stronger workforce, supercharging farm business, leading the global marketplace, investing in innovation and technology, and balancing farming and the environment.
“We have outlined five key priority areas, with associated key policy and investment asks, that we know are required to help agriculture live up to its potential,” Finlay adds.
“On issues where there are key shortfalls, we will be encouraging the government to take a closer look with a view to developing long term, strategic and sustainable agricultural policy.
“NFF stands ready to work with government to provide advice and input at this time of unprecedented opportunity for the sector, when it must be treated as a national economic and policy priority.”
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