Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper

The Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper details our plan to grow agriculture. It is a $4 billion investment in our farmers.

We launched the paper in July 2015.

Stronger farmers, stronger economy

Agriculture has always been important to the success of our nation.

The Australian Government is strengthening the sector. We want to ensure it remains as competitive as possible. Stronger farmers mean a stronger Australian economy.

Opportunities for the agriculture sector are enormous. Australia is well placed for the future. We:

are on the edge of the strongest growing region in the world
have a developed agriculture sector
have world-class food safety and environmental credentials
possess modern technology
have a strong economy and employs skilled labour.

Priority areas

Our plan is focused around 5 priority areas.

A fairer go for farm business. Helping farmers get better farmgate returns. Fairer competition, better regulation and an improved tax system.
Building the infrastructure of the 21st century. Planning ahead and thinking innovatively about infrastructure. This includes securing water supplies.
Strengthening our approach to drought and risk management. Practical measures to help manage drought and other risks facing farmers.
Access to advanced technologies and practices. This includes better research and development (R&D) and skilled workers.
Accessing premium markets. Improving international trade to grow farm businesses.

Benefits

The White Paper has delivered benefits to Australia’s farm businesses.

Reforms include:

country of origin labelling reforms introduced in July 2016
$250 million per year for Farm Business Concessional Loans
up to $200 million to improve biosecurity surveillance and analysis
$30.8 million to break down technical barriers and invest in 5 new overseas agricultural counsellors
$100 million to extend the Rural R&D for Profit program to 2021–22
$25.8 million to manage pest animals and weeds in drought-affected areas
setting up the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Agriculture Unit and appointing an agriculture commissioner
$13.8 million for the Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration Pilot Programme
allowing for accelerated depreciation for fencing, water reticulation and fodder storage
increasing the Farm Management Deposits (FMD) deposit cap to $800,000, enabling use of FMDs as farm loan offsets and reintroducing an early access trigger for drought
$22.8 million to increase Farm Household Allowance case management for farmers.