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W
ith the New Year just
around the corner, it is
timely that we look to our
future priorities in the potato
industry and reflect on the work
achieved in 2016.
In particular, this month has
brought the announcement
of a compromise deal on the
controversial “backpacker tax”,
with the Federal Government
agreeing to a rate of 15 per
cent and a reduction of the
tax rate on backpackers’
superannuation from 95 per
cent to 65 per cent.
This resolution comes after
strong, ongoing advocacy from
a number of industry groups
including AUSVEG, and we
are pleased that the revised
tax rate is now comparable with
our international competitors.
While this is welcome news
for the industry, AUSVEG will
continue to monitor the number
of working holiday makers
coming to Australia under the
new tax rate.
One of the challenges facing
Australian potato growers is
the threat of the Tomato-potato
psyllid (TPP), a pest that has
caused extensive damage to
potato crops in New Zealand.
It vectors the bacterium that
causes Zebra chip in potatoes,
and if it were to arrive in
Australia, it would have a
devastating effect throughout
our industry.
It is imperative that we
continue to assist the potato
industry to prepare for a
possible TPP incursion,
and this edition of
Potatoes
Australia
outlines the number
of ways that growers and
industry are on the lookout for
this destructive pest.
We are also celebrating the
achievements of six potato
growers across the country in
the annual
Grower Success
Stories
publication, which is
I
am pleased to confirm that
AUSVEG is in the final stages
of announcing its new Chief
Executive Officer. I would
like to take this opportunity
to thank the potato and
vegetable industries for their
ongoing support during my
time as Interim CEO, and say
that it has been a pleasure to
represent Australia’s potato
and vegetable growers over
the past seven months. In the
meantime, I look forward to
returning to my role as a Skills-
Based Director on the AUSVEG
Board and to meeting with as
many of you as possible at Hort
Connections 2017.
In other exciting news for
the industry, Arris Pty Ltd will
coordinate the delivery of the
Potato Industry Extension
Program from 2016-2019.
During this time, AUSVEG
will work closely with Arris to
ensure growers and the wider
potato community benefit from
improved growing practices
and new technologies that are
communicated through the
program. We look forward to
seeing the results from this
project benefit growers and
the wider industry.
Another initiative gaining
momentum is Soil First
Tasmania, an innovative
program established by
Tasmanian potato grower
Darren Long. Darren has
been involved in a number of
potato R&D projects over the
years and he is a passionate
advocate for generating on-
farm efficiencies.
In particular, the program is
using social media platforms
such as Twitter and Facebook
to connect growers who are
interested in soil health,
and provide them with a
platform to share ideas and
techniques. The results from
these discussions can only be
included with this magazine.
It is wonderful to see growers
taking the opportunity to
further their knowledge in
cutting-edge potato production
and, as a result, are reaping
the rewards from vital industry-
funded R&D projects.
Finally, AUSVEG held its
Annual General Meeting on
24 November 2016 which
coincided with our Board
meeting, during which I was
re-elected to the position of
Chair. I would also like to
congratulate Queensland
vegetable grower Belinda
Adams on her appointment
as Deputy Chair.
Belinda replaces Tasmanian
representative David Addison,
who has worked tirelessly in the
role for three years. Although
David decided to stand down
as Deputy Chair, he remains
an integral part of the AUSVEG
Board and I thank him for his
ongoing contribution, guidance
and assistance.
I wish all our readers the very
best for the year ahead.
positive for growers as they look
towards a sustainable future.
In other news, delegate
registrations are now open
for Hort Connections 2017,
a joint initiative between
AUSVEG and PMA Australia-
New Zealand that will be held
at the Adelaide Convention
Centre from 15-17 May.
The event will be co-hosted
alongside a range of horticultural
bodies including Australian
Organic, Onions Australia and,
in an industry first, Irrigation
Australia. I encourage all
industry members to attend this
significant horticultural event.
While we eagerly await Hort
Connections 2017, AUSVEG
has released its 2016-17
Suppliers Guide, which has
been distributed with this edition
of the magazine. This booklet
provides a comprehensive
list of industry suppliers that
potato growers can contact for
their everyday business, from
administration to irrigation
to packaging suppliers. It is
certainly a fantastic resource for
all growers as you prepare for
the next 12 months and I wish
you all the best of luck.
Geoff Moar
Chairman
AUSVEG
Simon Bolles
AUSVEG Interim CEO
Geoff Moar
AUSVEG Chairman
Simon Bolles
Interim Chief Executive Officer
AUSVEG
AUSVEG Chairman and Interim CEO messages