APRIL GRAIN GRABS

Welcome to another edition of GPA’s monthly newsletter, for April 2025. 

With the 2025 seeding program underway in most cropping areas, I’d like to wish everyone the best, for the season ahead, with favorable weather conditions – and strong grain prices. 

In the last edition of GPA Grain Grabs, we highlighted the choices ahead with Saturday 3 May set as the date for our next Federal Election. 

With only a few days left now for voters to make up their minds, I encourage everyone to take time out and consider your options, and the journey ahead; not only for Australian grain producers but also our nation. 

GPA has been advocating key policy priorities for growers at this election, as we did in 2022, which can be viewed HERE along with other important resources. 

We’ve again requested a response to these from the political parties and independents, to know where they stand on GPA’s important asks such as; maintaining access to agricultural pesticides and APVMA reviews; optimising the value and returns of compulsory grains levies; reducing farm input costs; and improving grains supply chain efficiencies and reducing freight costs. Some of these have already been received and also viewed on our election website page.

Last week, GPA held a special webinar looking at potential election outcomes and how to navigate a minority government, should one eventuate. 

I’d like to thank everyone who attended and former Rural Independent MP Tony Windsor (and NSW grain producer) for his great presentation, passing on his vast knowledge and experiences – and media guru Tim Shaw for his excellent professional hosting. 

A replay of the webinar is also available, for those who couldn’t make it, to view at a convenient time, in future. HERE 

Finally. I’d also like to pass on recent feedback and concerns I’ve received about proposed changes to superannuation, which would result in a tax bill on unrealised gains, and especially the potential impacts for many Australian farmers. 

This article by Business Columnist for The Australian, Robert Gottliebsen HERE is worth taking time to read if you can, and digest information, or listen to some of his media commentary on these matters HERE while seeding. 

This is the National Farmers’ Federation’s recent advocacy on this matter, and statement issued  HERE when the (Super Tax) legislation failed to pass the Federal Senate, in the last sitting week of 2024. 

NFF President David Jochinke said: The farm sector is particularly worried that the taxation of ‘unrealised gains’ may force primary producers to sell their farm just to pay off their new tax bill. This tax spells disaster for the hardworking Aussie families who set up these funds in good faith, to give the next generation a leg up.” 

Barry Large GPA Chair