That was Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell’s message as he addressed the crowd at the Farm Smart forum at Kialla’s MOVE on Tuesday, July 28, warning against excessive government intervention in the industry.
Hosted by Country News, the Farm Smart event was designed to provide practical insights, fresh ideas and valuable connections to help businesses grow in an increasingly competitive landscape.
An agronomist of 14 years, he spoke passionately about the local agricultural industry. He highlighted that one in three jobs in the Greater Shepparton region is directly or indirectly connected to the agriculture industry.
“In Shepparton’s economy almost everything starts out in a paddock where a farmer has combined risk, capital and knowledge to create something very special,” he said.
Among the topics Mr Birrell addressed in his speech was the role that the government plays in the agricultural industry.
He said the key to this role was putting in place the mechanisms for the agricultural industry to thrive.
A central part of this is ensuring that inputs are affordable. This includes irrigation water, labour, technology and energy.
He added that, beyond this, governments should minimise their interventions in the industry. For example, he says that agricultural businesses should not be burdened by excessive taxes.
“Agricultural industries are something for Australia to nurture and celebrate, not to be seen as a cash register for high-taxing governments,” he said.
He also criticised the government’s water buyback policies that have driven up the prices of temporary water.
Having studied a Bachelor of Applied Science and Agriculture at University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus, he also highlighted the importance of having access to further education locally.
He cited the example of the University of Melbourne later shifting that course to its Parkville campus. This decision discouraged some students who wanted to live regionally from studying agriculture.
He also said that governments and universities should place a greater priority on innovation.
“I believe that this focus is not as sharp as it should be,” he said.
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