April 30, 2025
The Dutton Littleproud Coalition has a strong plan to get the agriculture industry back on track.
Agriculture is critical to Australia’s success. When our farmers prosper, our regional communities thrive and all Australians benefit.
The value of agricultural production was $92 billion in 2024-25.
Labor’s policies have been anti-farming and have eroded the confidence in the industry.
"73.3 per cent agree that the Albanese Government policies are harming the industry."National Farmer Priorities Survey, August 2024, National Farmers Federation and Seftons
In just three years, Labor has shut down the live sheep export industry, scrapped the Australian Agriculture Visa, made the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme unworkable and unviable, tried to tax farmers $50 million a year, been slow and soft against the supermarkets, implemented general tender water buybacks, introduced a new superannuation tax on unrealised capital gains, burdened farmers with scope three emissions reporting requirements, and the list goes on.
Since Labor was elected, the cost of food production has skyrocketed, gas is up by 34% and electricity up 32% (excluding rebates), contributing to a food price increase of 13%.
The Coalition will immediately address Labor’s bad policies by:
The Coalition will also back our farmers by:
The Coalition will also back our agricultural regional communities by committing:
A Coalition Government will reverse the anti-farming policies introduced by Labor and ‘back our farmers and regional communities’.
Our plan is focused on four key elements:
As a priority, the Coalition will develop a comprehensive National Food Security Plan with an interim report in the first six months of a Coalition Government.
The Minister will establish an Industry Advisory Committee to advise on the Plan.
The Department of Agriculture will be responsible for the development of the Plan.
Labor took nearly 18 months to announce they were going to develop a National Food Security Strategy after it was recommended by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture in Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond in November 2023.
The Coalition will develop an end-to-end food security plan and take ‘first actions’ across 8 areas, as outlined below.
Protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases is critical for agricultural productivity, our environment, social amenity and way of life.
Keeping Australia as a reliable food and fibre producer and being able to trade overseas is reliant on a strong biosecurity system.
A strong biosecurity system relies on a sustainable biosecurity funding model, which the Coalition committed to in 2021 in Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030.
An elected Coalition Government will legislate a Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Model.
The legislation will include a minimum level of biosecurity funding, based on the Craik review (2017) recommendation that the Australia Governments’ appropriations funding for biosecurity should be maintained at 2016-17 levels (in real terms).
The Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Model will include ‘risk creators’ and will not put a tax on Australian farmers. Labor’s biosecurity funding model thought it was fair to tax Australian farmers $50 million a year to pay for the biosecurity risks created by their competitors.
The Coalition will introduce an import container levy for sea and air containers as recommended by the Craik review.
The legislation will include a special account for biosecurity.
The Minister for Agriculture will be responsible for the legislation, the disbursement of funds, with transparency about what biosecurity priorities are being funded.
A high priority will be to boost the veterinarian workforce across Australia who are critical in responding to an exotic disease incursion. There are only enough vets to cover 60 percent of demand.
On 20 March 2025, the Coalition committed $2 million over four years to pilot a new technology that will provide a real-time early warning vector surveillance capability to bolster Australia’s fight against lumpy skin disease. This technology could save weeks in responding to an incursion and minimise the impact on trade and farmers.
“Early detection is the most cost-effective biosecurity investment you can make – prevention is far better than cure”“Through the application of vector technology to assess potentially disease-carrying insect populations at high-traffic entry points into Australia, we will be able to identify the presence of LSD well before it can be detected in the livestock herd.”
Cattle Australia Chief Executive, Dr Chris Parker
When illegal boats arrive on our shores as they have under Labor, they can introduce biosecurity threats such as Foot and Mouth Disease. The Coalition has committed to undertake a rapid review of Operation LUNAR – the Australian Border Force-led operation to combat illegal foreign fishing in northern Australia – and related biosecurity activities to ensure they are fit-for-purpose in combating these threats.
The Coalition will consult with stakeholders on the Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Model.
Without the right workforce, farmers are either forced to plant less or pass the increased cost of labour onto the consumer. Labour costs represent the largest cost unit in fresh produce businesses, accounting for up to 60 per cent of the total cost of production in some instances.
In the lead up to the Jobs and Skills Summit, the National Food Supply Chain Alliance estimated that Australia is short by 172,000 workers to get food from the paddock to the plate or port.
Workforce shortages are threatening a stable supply, prices, and food security.
In line with industry concerns about shortages, the Coalition will bring back the dedicated Australian Agriculture Visa.
The Agriculture Visa was scrapped by Labor claiming:
A dedicated agriculture worker visa stream is no longer required as agricultural workers can be accommodated through the PALM scheme.Explanatory Statement for the Repeal Regulations
The Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has not met the needs for the agriculture industry.
From July 2023, when the new guidelines came into effect, the number of agriculture workers in the PALM scheme dropped by over 7,000 or 32 per cent to December 2024. Labor’s changes to the guidelines have made it unworkable and unviable for farmers.
The Coalition will review the operation of the PALM scheme and the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) to ensure that they meet the needs of employers, workers and Pacific nations.
The Labor Government is also creating uncertainty about retaining the 88-day rule for backpackers. The Coalition will maintain the second and third year extension for the Working Holiday Maker visa by requiring 88 days of work in specific areas and occupations.
We will continue to support Designated Area Migration Agreements to attract foreign workers to regional Australia where the local community can determine the skills required in the region.
There will also be a review of the Skilled Occupation List to ensure that it has the flexibility to assist in addressing the labour force shortages in our regions and in specific sectors.
The Coalition recognises the potential of the agricultural industry if the right policy settings are in place to support them.
Reverse the ban on live sheep export by sea
The Coalition condemns Labor for imposing its reckless and ideological decision to shut down Australia’s live sheep export industry by sea. This decision is not based on science or evidence.
Australia has the best animal welfare standards in the world.
Australia’s live export industry employs more than 3,000 people in Western Australia, including farmers, shearers, truck drivers, fodder suppliers and livestock agents and supports regional communities.
The Coalition’s first Agriculture Bill will be to reverse the decision to ban live sheep exports by sea, and the Agriculture Minister’s first overseas visit will be to the Middle Eastern trading countries.
Finalise the Brett Cattle live export class action
The Brett Cattle live export class action has dragged on for too long.
A Coalition Government will act to have this case resolved quickly to provide certainty and closure to this matter for the cattle industry.
We will make sure the Commonwealth is guided by model litigant principles in bringing about a swift and fair resolution.
The Coalition will treat the cattle industry fairly and respect the individuals involved in the case.
Fairness for farmers at the farmgate and families at the checkout
Despite the Coalition calling for action since 2022, Labor has failed to address the imbalance of power between supermarkets, and suppliers and farmers.
A statutory review of the Food and Grocery Code was due to commence in October 2023 but the independent reviewer was appointed by the Albanese Government almost 100 days later on 9 January 2024. After the revised code was put in place on 17 December 2024, Labor decided it didn’t need to become mandatory until 1 April 2025.
The Coalition will take a strong approach to addressing these imbalances by committing to tougher penalties, random audits of supermarkets and a Supermarket Commissioner. The Coalition’s approach aims to immediately change culture to support competition at the checkout, and a fairer price for farmers, suppliers and consumers.
| Labor Government | Coalition Government |
|---|---|
| $198,000 infringement notice | $2 million infringement notice – 10x higher |
| Anonymous complaints mechanism | A Supermarket Commissioner to confidentially take up complaints and work with the ACCC to take action |
| Legislate ‘big stick’ divestiture competition laws, as a court-ordered last resort | |
| Empower ACCC to undertake audits of supermarkets at any time |
The Coalition will also address contractual fairness issues in the poultry meat industry.
Native Title Respondent Scheme and Native Title Officer Scheme
The Coalition is committed to restoring the Native Title Respondent Scheme and Native Title Officer Scheme, which were abolished by the Albanese Government.
This means that those who are responding to native title claims, including pastoralists, farmers, local councils and other community groups may be eligible for legal financial assistance.
Farmers dealing with native title claims face greater costs, more complexities and lengthy delay since the abolition of the Native Title Respondent Scheme.
Restoring this scheme will help resolve native title claims more quickly and reduce costs for all parties involved. The scheme will allow for legal costs to be reduced, and proceedings streamlined, removing the need for numerous lawyers and parties to be involved in native title claims.
These schemes ensure that both the claimant and respondent have fair and equal access to legal representation, promote negotiated outcomes over litigation, and assist with fair and fast settlement of claims.
The Coalition has committed $8.3 million over 4 years to re-establish these important schemes.
Supporting our farmers’ mental health
The Coalition is committed to supporting Australian farmers who are doing it tough.
Close to half of Australian farmers have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide, while close to one third have attempted self-harm or suicide.
That is why the Coalition is committing $7.9 million specifically to provide mental health assistance for farmers. This builds on the Coalition’s substantial commitment to address mental health across Australia.
A mental health specialist will be placed in each state and territory (except for the ACT which will be covered by NSW) to specifically address mental health concerns for farmers. Specialists will be based in Medicare Mental Health Centres in regional locations so they are closer to the people they will be helping.
Keeping our farmers safe
Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries to work in. Tragically, in 2024, 72 farmers lost their lives and 133 were seriously injured on the job.
The Coalition is committing $2.5 million over three years for farm safety. FarmSafe Australia will continue to deliver on the five National Farm Safety Education Strategy priorities.
The Strategy will be delivered in the following ways:
Restoring confidence in carbon credit methodologies
The Coalition recognises the importance of having methodologies available to farmers and will take steps to restore confidence in the Australian Carbon Credit Unit market, including by providing certainty for existing high-quality methodologies, creating and renewing methodologies and unlocking opportunities for internationally tradable schemes.
The Coalition will remake a high quality method for beef cattle herd management which is currently under review and due to expire on 30 September 2025.
Accurate labelling for plant-based meat products
The Coalition is committing $1.5 million to protect the meat and livestock industry, and consumers by fast-tracking a response to, and addressing the recommendations, from the 2022 Don’t Mince Words senate inquiry. The senate inquiry includes a recommendation for a regulatory framework for the labelling of plant-based protein products.
The failure to fix inaccurate labelling is undermining Australian farmers’ reputation for producing high quality meat. The senate inquiry committee found that plant-based products are “piggybacking” on the investment made by the animal protein sector into brand recognition.
The Coalition will help to stop Australian families being tricked into buying what they think are meat products but which are actually plant-based products.
Assisting first-time farmers to get into farming
The Coalition has had a long-standing commitment to help first-time farmers obtain their own farm. A barrier for experienced farmers is obtaining commercial finance as typically 40-60 percent of equity is required.
If elected, the Coalition will work with Australia’s financial institutions to develop a ‘fit for purpose’ product to support farmers into first-time ownership.
Investing in our regional shows infrastructure
Regional shows are vital to regional communities and contribute to the economy. They also provide a place for farmers to showcase their animals, to put on demonstrations of products and technologies and to provide education.
The Coalition will bring back Round 2 of the Regional Agricultural Show Development Grants Program that Labor cut.
This is a $20 million commitment to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure; build, purchase or construct new infrastructure; and develop new attractions on showgrounds.
Reducing emissions while protecting agricultural land
A pathway to net zero needs to be done sensibly and not put our farmers, food and fibre production and rural communities at risk.
The Coalition supports responsible growth in renewables as part of a balanced energy mix, but does not support Labor’s reckless overbuild that would carpet the country with unnecessary solar, wind and transmission projects across pristine landscapes and agricultural land. By minimising the footprint and costs of our energy system, this will deliver economic, social and environmental benefits, especially to regional communities. At the same time, the roll out of nuclear energy will also create additional jobs in our regions, and enable existing coal plant workers to transfer their skills to new, highly paid jobs.
Under the Coalition, regional communities and farming will also be protected by restoring the Veto Power introduced by the Coalition in 2022, which allows the Minister for Agriculture to veto a native vegetation project where there are negative impacts on regional communities and agriculture production. This applies to projects that make up more than one-third of a farm and the farm is larger than 15 hectares.
Ensuring the Northern Australia and Rangelands Fire Information service continues
The Northern Australia and Rangelands Fire Information (NAFI) website is a resource for viewing and tracking current fire activity in Australia’s northern and remote areas.
It is an essential tool for northern Australian pastoralists to manage pasture and undertake fire prevention, and for disaster prevention and management. It also provides information to support participation in savanna fire management initiatives for emissions reduction projects.
The Northern Australia and Rangelands Fire Information tool faces a funding cliff. The website has been funded for over a decade and was not included in Labor’s 2025-26 Budget.
The Coalition will commit $2.5 million over 3 years to continue the Northern Australia and Rangelands Fire Information web service.
Financial counselling for small businesses in drought-affected areas
The Coalition recognises the prolonged dry conditions currently being experienced in Victoria and South Australia and the impact on our farmers and small businesses. The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides free and independent financial counselling for farmers and small related businesses experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
Farmers are intrinsically linked to their local communities and when the agriculture industry faces a downturn, small rural businesses also experience hardship.
That is why the Coalition is committing $1.8 million over six months to extend the Rural Financial Counselling Service to small businesses experiencing hardship in drought-affected areas.
Introducing a legislated Domestic Organic National Standard
The Coalition Government will introduce common-sense legislation, ensuring organic products being sold and imported into Australia are actually organic.
Products in Australia can claim to be organic with as little as two per cent of the ingredients being certified organic. In comparison, organic products sold for export require 95 percent organic ingredients.
The Coalition commits to a legislated National Organic Standard and $1.6 million over the forward estimates and $0.4 million a year ongoing, to support its implementation.
The lack of regulation is misleading for consumers who are paying a premium for products that may not actually be organic. It is also unfair on farmers and processors who are doing the right thing.
Eradicating Red Imported Fire Ants
The eradication of red imported fire ants is important to all Australians given their impact on agriculture, the environment, and Australians’ way of life.
If the fire ants spread, it will cost our economy $2 billion annually and see over 140,000 extra medical visits every year as they sting Australians at the park or in the backyard.
On 18 October 2023 the Coalition moved a motion to have a senate inquiry into red imported fire ants in Australia, as there was a lack of timeliness of funding by the Labor Government. The inquiry recommended an urgent review of the response.
The Coalition is committing $3 million to undertake an immediate independent review of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, in consultation with the state and territory governments.
In just three years, Labor has eroded farmers’ trust and confidence so much that the industry had no choice but to pass a vote of no confidence and protest at Parliament House.
Labor |
Coalition |
|---|---|
| Biosecurity Model that taxes farmers Taxing farmers $50 million a year for the biosecurity risks caused by their competitors. |
Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Model Legislating a biosecurity sustainable funding model that includes an import container levy via sea and air. |
| No Agriculture Visa and PALM unworkable | Agriculture Visa and PALM workable and viable |
| Ban live sheep export trade by sea by May 2028 | Reinstate the Live Sheep export trade by sea |
| Further delays to resolving the Brett Cattle live export class action | Resolve the Brett Cattle live export class action |
| Lighter penalties on supermarkets with $198,000 on-the-spot fine and an anonymous complaint mechanism | Tough penalties on supermarkets with $2 million on-the-spot fine scaling up to divestiture as a last resort, and a Supermarket Commissioner to address fear of retribution |
| No Native Title Respondents Scheme | A Native Title Respondents Scheme |
| Cut regional agricultural shows funding | Investing in regional agricultural shows funding |
| No financial counselling for small businesses in drought-affected areas | Financial counselling for small businesses in drought-affected areas |
| Cuts to the regional budget | A Regional Australia Future Fund – in perpetuity for regional funding on top of business as normal |
| Mandatory scope 3 climate reporting – $2.3 billion of green tape on farmers and primary industries | No scope 3 emission financial reporting, reducing costs and freeing up time for farmers. |
In addition to establishing the Regional Australia Future Fund with $5 billion of seed funding that will grow to $20 billion, and major new infrastructure commitments like the Coalition’s $600 million Agriculture and Mining roads, the Coalition will invest an additional $90 million to support our farmers and deliver Our Plan for Agriculture.
Our priorities are building stronger regional economies and secure communities, delivering opportunity and prosperity for all regional Australians, and ensuring a sustainable environment.
Stronger, more secure, sustainable local communities that provide the opportunity for everyone to prosper will deliver a stronger, more secure and sustainable nation.
The Nationals commitment to the national interest does not stop there. The Nationals provide a considered and common sense perspective on all elements of Government policy and a balance between Australia’s political extremes.
