AUSVEG travelled to Canberra last week for the final sitting week of the year to meet with a number of key members outlining its Federal Election Priorities for 2022.

The core themes of AUSVEG’s election asks are:

• Driving increased consumption.
• Developing more efficient businesses.
• Becoming a more resilient industry.

It was well-received from Federal Government that AUSVEG was well ahead of other industry bodies in outlining its core asks of the major parties ahead of the upcoming Federal Election.

It has worked out well for AUSVEG that the Federal Budget is due to be launched in March next year due to the election. This means Federal Government and Federal Departments are now working to provide their pre-budget submissions earlier than expected.

As a result of this, AUSVEG briefed the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) on its asks, which include important areas such as workforce, international trade, domestic consumption, regenerative farming, biosecurity, competition and business, infrastructure, emergency preparation and prevention, and education.

AUSVEG will publish more details on its Federal Election priorities once the election is called.

AUSVEG met with many members including the following:

• Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud
• Senator for Victoria, Raff Ciccone
• Member for Shepparton, Damian Drum
• Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz
• Member for Mallee, Anne Webster
• Member for Forrest, Nola Marino

As well as the offices of:

• Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Zed Seselja
• Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke
• Minister for Regionalisation and Emergency, Bridget McKenzie

Key topics of discussion included rising farm input costs and the cost squeeze growers are currently experiencing, National Labour Hire Licencing Scheme and greater enforcement activities by the Fair Work Ombudsman and Australian Border Force.

The Australian Agriculture Visa (AAV) was also central to all the discussions with stakeholders. AUSVEG is working through the development of the Visa with the relevant departments, and it is hoped we will have more information on the visa later this month.

In the meantime, growers are encouraged to click here for more information on the visa.