GPA WELCOMES FEDERAL MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS

Grain Producers Australia (GPA) has welcomed the re-appointment of senior farming leaders and rural representatives in the Federal Labor government, for the 48th Parliament.

And the re-election of incumbent Nationals leader, David Littleproud, and election of new Liberal Party Leaders, in the Opposition Coalition parties.

GPA congratulated Julie Collins on her re-appointment as the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, in the new ministry, after it was announced earlier this week by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. HERE

GPA also recognised Queensland Senator, Anthony Chisholm, on his re-appointment as the Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, along with his roles as Assistant Minister for Resources and Regional Development.

Julie Collins MP (pictured at GPA's Grains Industry Showcase event held at Parliament House in Canberra in November 2024) has been re-appointed as the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

GPA Chair, Barry Large, said the peak national grower representative group was looking forward to continuing working with Minister Collins, and engagement with Assistant Minister Chisholm, to advance policy priorities for Australian grain producers, as outlined in GPA’s 2025 Federal Election Policy Priorities.

Both Labor and the Coalition provided detailed responses to GPA’s 2025 Policy Priorities. HERE

“We look forward to getting back down to business working with the government and ministry and engaging with all elected representatives, to advocate the best interests of all Australian grain producers,” he said.

“GPA’s apolitical engagement is vitally important to boosting the national productivity agenda and sustaining economic growth.

“With Australian grain production continuing to rise as the leading contributor to the national agricultural economy, this on-farm productivity growth also increases the delivery of shared benefits; not only for producers but also the national economy, environment and rural communities.”

Mr Large also welcome other Ministerial appointments, consistent with GPA’s work advancing the Australian grains industry’s productivity growth and delivery of shared benefits, in the national interest:

·        Dr Jim Chalmers MP – Treasurer

·        Senator Don Farrell – Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State

·        Chris Bowen MP – Minister for Climate Change and Energy

·        Catherine King MP – Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

·        Senator Murray Watt – Minister for the Environment and Water

·        Dr Anne Aly MP - Minister for Small Business, International Development and Multicultural Affairs

·        Senator Tim Ayres – Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science

·        Kristy McBain MP – Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and Minister for Emergency Management

·        Dr Andrew Leigh MP – Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury

Mr Large also welcomed Dan Repacholi MP’s appointment as the Special Envoy for Men’s Health, which aligns with the work of GPA’s Farmer Mates Mental Health partnership program, helping to make a difference in farming communities. HERE

In the 2025 Election Priorities and election campaign, GPA also strongly supported the ‘Joint Statement for Government Action’ – as led by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) – backing a comprehensive proposal requesting $50 million in government funding, to support evidence-based programs tailored for the agriculture industry. These programs are being run by respected organisations such as ifarmwell, the National Centre for Farmer Health, and many more throughout Australia.

This was a core policy priority which GPA advocated for during the recent election campaign, in presenting as one of the strong opportunities to back Australian grain producers, and invest in the delivery of shared benefits derived from the $32 billion grain sector’s productivity growth. Brad Hogg video HERE 

GPA Chief Executive, Colin Bettles, said his group was also extending an invitation to Minister Collins, and Senator Chisholm, to visit major cropping regions throughout Australia, to meet for talks with grain producers who are currently facing challenging dry conditions, during the current seeding period.

Mr Bettles said this was especially important for the drought in South Australia, to meet also with GPA representatives and discuss proactive policies, strategies and resources needed, to respond appropriately – including engagement with State Agriculture Ministers and local representatives.

He said GPA’s members, Grain Producers SA (GPSA), had already been proactive in inviting Minister Collins to see the drought conditions first-hand, which are severely impacting production in that State.

GPSA said the drought has affected grain producers and communities after the driest 16-months on record in SA.  HERE

“Being on the front foot with Minister Collins and Assistant Minister Chisholm visiting these impacted regions would also send a strong message of support for the people in these communities who are reliant on grain production, but feeling very anxious about the prolonged dry‘s impact on their futures,” he said.

Mr Bettles said GPA also recognised the election and re-election of Opposition or leadership roles yesterday and looked forward to working with Shadow Ministers in the 48th Federal Parliament, to further engage on advancing GPA’s policy priorities for growers, and advancing these shared benefits.

·        Liberal Party Leader – Sussan Ley MP

·        Liberal Party Deputy Leader – Ted O’Brien MP

·        Leader of the Nationals – David Littleproud MP

·        Nationals Deputy Leader – Kevin Hogan MP

·        And Nationals Senate Leader – Senator Bridget McKenzie

He said GPA also anticipated working with Minister Collins and the Government on the next steps to implement the ‘Feeding Australia’ strategy, and especially on mutually beneficial opportunities from incentivising grain producers as feedstock providers, for a domestic biofuels feedstock industry. HERE

GPA wrote to each of the major political parties, minor parties and independents, during the election campaign seeking their responses to the 2025 election policy priorities document, which are now posted on GPA’s website HERE.

ENDS