The Tasmanian Government welcomes the appointment of Minister Julie Collins to the portfolio of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Minister Collins now holds the pen on some of the most critically important industries to Tasmania’s economic prosperity.
Tasmania’s agricultural, fishery and forestry industries are the backbone of our economy and way of life, and play a key part in the Tasmanian Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
Tasmanian Government Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, welcomed the move to have a Tasmanian representing the agriculture sector in the Federal Parliament.
“Minister Collins has a real opportunity to stand up for Tasmanians in these important areas, and I look forward to working productively with Minister Collins to get the best outcomes for Tasmania’s farmers,” Minister Howlett said.
“One of the first decisions Minister Collins must make is to immediately scrap the flawed biosecurity protection levy bill.
“The Federal Government also needs to immediately fund its share of the Greater South-East Irrigation Scheme so that the project can be delivered.
“I also call on Minister Collins to help fight for an expansion to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) to help reduce the cost of freight for fodder and feed for all of Tasmania, as many Tasmanian farmers battle through heartbreaking drought conditions.
“Unlike farmers on the mainland, Tasmanians don’t have road and rail options to secure the additional feed and fodder they need to ensure positive animal welfare outcomes and the existing level of TFES support per freight unit has simply not kept pace with the significant increase in costs in recent years.”
Tasmanian Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the new Federal Minister for Fisheries and Forestry must stand firm on backing Tasmanian jobs which drive our regional economies, and immediately secure the future of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
“Thousands of Tasmanians are employed across these critical industries, and we welcome having a Tasmanian Minister who knows first-hand how important it is to provide certainty and stability to these industries, jobs, and our State’s economy,” Minister Abetz said.
“I am confident that Minister Collins will stand up for our sustainable primary industries and the unique natural environments in which they operate – not sacrificing either for the sake of the other.
“I look forward to her proactive engagement and action in championing these sustainable industry sectors with her parliamentary colleagues.”
The Tasmanian Government looks forward to working with Minister Collins to deliver important support and reforms to Tasmanian industries that are in the best interests of all Tasmanians.
