While the NSW Treasurer has done his best to smile while handing down the budget, the impact of federal GST cuts were obvious NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin says.
“Farmers well know how NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey must be feeling when looking at a set of numbers that’s come up short,” Mr Martin said.
“In our businesses we hope for the best and prepare for the worst and do our best with what the weather and the markets give us, and Mr Mookhey is in the same situation with a budget left in an awful mess by his federal counterpart.
“But regardless of the budget papers, what is ultimately important is the practical effect of these announcements in the paddock and in the regions.”
Mr Martin said the state government was coming to terms with the impact of natural disasters on disintegrating transport infrastructure, and a further $13 million invested to help counter exploding feral pig numbers was a positive move. He also welcomed funding to make it easier for essential workers to access affordable housing in regional NSW.
“The practical impact of this budget, and what it means for the economic dynamo that is agriculture, is what really matters to farmers and our communities,” Mr Martin said.
“The efforts of DPI and Local Land Services in research and development and delivering biosecurity efforts on the ground are critical and ongoing.
“Agriculture is one of the major economic dynamos driving NSW, and we need the right settings to take full advantage of the opportunities – something we’re not getting from Canberra.
“When the settings are right, farmers are more productive, they create more jobs, and they drive more economic growth for the state.”
