JUNE GRAIN GRABS

This June 2025 edition of GPA’s monthly newsletter may be relatively short, but it shows the depth of what we’ve been working hard on, to deliver better outcomes for all Australian grain producers. 

Firstly, we held a webinar last week which provides expert advice, to better understand the Federal Government’s proposed ‘Super Tax’, and its potential impacts, to support policy debate.  

Details on our policy views can be accessed HERE in the opinion article recently published in ACM papers. 

Our webinar saw guest expert analysis provided by speakers, Katie Timms, RSM Partner and superannuation specialist, and John Thomson, rural accountant and founding partner of Seer Financial Group. Those who missed the webinar, a recording of it can be accessed HERE 

As well as the ‘Super Tax’, GPA has also been moving forward with our proactive and very important process of reviewing grains levies, which started in mid-2022, but has been stalled for a number of reasons. 

However, now that the Federal Election has been run and decided, we’re continuing our positive work in this space, to ensure good outcomes. 

As demonstrated in recent communications HERE the key consideration underpinning this review process is whether our grain levy rates are fit-for-purpose, which extends across all of GPA’s industry good responsibilities; including biosecurity and grain product integrity/market access. 

“GPA’s 2025 Federal Election Policy Priorities document HERE demonstrates the Australian grains industry’s strong production value and returns — and therefore huge income growth from levies — has increased even further, over this time. 

“When life’s been good to you, you make longer tables, not bigger walls. 

“Nothing changes like change — and now’s the time to do it.” 

Regardless of conjecture over whether it’s $700 million in reserves or $1 billion for RD&E only, these unprecedented numbers are gaining attention with growers. The question now is — can we be even more ambitious, and consider options to try to optimise potential benefits for growers who pay these levies, and other multiple shared beneficiaries including the environment, national industry, our rural communities and productivity growth for the national economy? 

On other fronts, GPA’s continuing to work proactively to support delivery of the Australian Grains Industry Biosecurity Plan. This includes a Grains Biosecurity Advisory Committee of industry stakeholders that’s been established to support the MoU between GRDC and PHA and helps deliver various projects and activities. The Plan was developed to help strengthen biosecurity protections and further safeguard the $32 billion Australian grains industry, with targeted activities and investments, and launched at last year’s AGIC conference. HERE 

GPA has also moved to establish an Agricultural Chemicals Sustainability Solutions Group – which comes under the remit of GPA’s Pesticides and Technology Sub-committee – to follow through on recommendations made in the Active Ingredient Sustainability Stocktake Review, tabled earlier this year. 

This Review report resulted from the good work by Pete Arkle (Applebox Insights), applying his expertise in a project commissioned by GPA, to respond more effectively and proactively to the risks introduced via the APVMA’s reviews of certain crop protections products; especially Paraquat and Diquat. HERE 

This Solutions Group led by Pete and GPA will engage necessary stakeholders to collaborate on the Review’s recommendations and priority actions, to ensure the interests of growers and agricultural industries, not just grains, are properly managed and safeguarded, to protect against unintended consequences and harm, from the paddock through supply chains, in areas such as market access. 

I hope everyone has been able to complete their 2025 seeding programs by now – and there’s good rains on the horizon during the growing season, across the nation’s major grain producing regions. 

For those who’ve been challenged by drought and compounding dry conditions, GPA is also working proactively to engage with Federal Government and other stakeholders, to ensure the right support is provided, when and where it’s needed most. 

Also, a reminder that GPA’s AGM is due to be held prior to the GPA Policy Council meeting that’s scheduled for Melbourne, July 28-29. More confirmed details will follow, for this hybrid event, in the near future. 

Barry Large GPA Chair