MG/SF/GG22032
30 June 2022
30 June 2022
NDA Review Secretariat
Department of Agriculture, Water & the Environment
By Email: amm-wgdrought@awe.gov.au
By Email: amm-wgdrought@awe.gov.au
Dear Sirs
AgForce is a peak organisation representing Queensland’s cane, cattle, grain and sheep & wool producers. The cane, beef, grain and sheep & wool industries in Queensland generated around $7.8 billion in on-farm value of production in 2019-20. AgForce’s purpose is to advance sustainable agribusiness and strives to ensure the long-term growth, viability, competitiveness and profitability of these industries. Over 6,400 farmers, individuals and businesses provide support to AgForce through membership. Queensland producers provide high-quality food and fibre to Australian and overseas consumers and contribute significantly to the social fabric of regional, rural and remote communities.
AgForce is supportive of the regular review of the National Drought Agreement (NDA) in seeking its continuous improvement and evolution over time towards the effective management of drought risk and the minimisation of the triple bottom line impacts of drought on farmers and graziers and their supporting communities.
As a long-standing and proud member of our national body, AgForce has contributed to and supports the submission by the National Farmers Federation (NFF) and encourages the Department of Agriculture, Water & the Environment to also carefully consider the contents of that more comprehensive submission.
Summary of Recommendations:
-
AgForce supports the suggestions to amend the NDA to acknowledge the key roles and responsibilities of local governments and non-government stakeholders, including industry bodies and associations, individual farm businesses and regional communities, in order to further the cohesion and cooperation of drought policy nationally, without losing the benefits of retaining some 'competitive tension' in testing and identifying the most effective measures as well as addressing geographically or climatically specific circumstances.
-
We support the suggestion to establish agreed mechanisms, inclusive of multi-stakeholders, which foster a tangible collaborative and complementary approach to securing drought policy outcomes.
-
Establishment of a high-level, multi-stakeholder advisory group to meet at least annually, to provide a forum to enable feedback, discussion, and collaboration at different stages of the program and investment planning and to facilitate continuous improvement.
-
Monitoring and reporting on input measures (eg, investment allocation) can be balanced with reporting on outcomes measures that assess the effectiveness and quality of drought measures in assisting minimise future triple bottom line impacts of drought on primary producers.
AgForce appreciates the opportunity given to participate in this NDA review and is committed to continued collaboration with all stakeholders to facilitate greater effectiveness and improving the achievement of beneficial outcomes for farmers, their communities, and the management of our natural capital.
Should you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please contact Sam Forzisi, AgForce Policy Officer on (07) 3236 3100 or via email: forzisis@agforceqld.org.au.
Yours faithfully
Mike Guerin
Chief Executive Officer Enc