The colourful former Queensland Senator enters the cabinet as an outspoken critic of foreign investment.
Joyce has publicly opposed foreign investments in the agribusiness sector, particularly the proposed GrainCorp takeover by US food company Archer Daniels Midland and Indonesia’s plans to buy a million hectares of grazing land in the Top End.
National Farmers Federation president Duncan Fraser is looking forward to working with Joyce. “The NFF has had a strong and constructive relationship with the coalition in opposition, and we will continue that with the coalition as they form the Government,” Fraser says.
Joyce’s appointment was something of a surprise. The Coalition’s agriculture spokesman during its time in Opposition was NSW MP John Cobb, who has missed out on a ministerial appointment.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says that wasn’t because Cobb had done a poor job, but because of changes within the National Party, which saw Joyce elected as the Nationals’ deputy leader.
Assisting Joyce as the parliamentary secretary for agriculture is Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck, who takes over that role from another north-west coast Tasmanian, Labor’s Sid Sidebottom, who lost his seat on September 7. The agriculture portfolio will include responsibility for fishing and forestry.
Says Fraser, “Reprioritising Australian agriculture on the national agenda will be the focus for the NFF, and this will continue to underpin all our work with the new Government, be it on policies affecting farmer productivity, profitability and access to markets, or the agricultural workforce and the natural resources on which our farmers rely.
“Agriculture’s importance to Australia’s society, economy and environment is evidenced by the fact that it crosses so many ministerial portfolios.”
Fraser says its immediate priorities are ensuring the Government’s promised commitments to agriculture – including the pledge to cut red and green tape, invest A$100 million in agricultural research, development and extension, and reinstate native title funding – are enacted quickly, so that farmers can reap the benefits.
“On the many other issues and policy decisions affecting Australian farmers, we will continue our role as farmer advocate and watchdog: ensuring that the Government and the Opposition are held to account.”
