Overview and summary

Agriculture is at the heart of the Australian identity. Our history and economy was ‘built on the sheep’s back’. Today agriculture continues to play a pivotal role in building the wealth of Australia; this is why the sector is one of the five pillars of the Australian economy and why the Government has made agriculture a priority.

The opportunities for the sector are enormous. We sit on the edge of the strongest growing region in the world, we have a developed agriculture sector with sound prospects for expansion, we have food safety and environmental credentials that are world-class, we develop and have access to up-to-date technology, we have a strong economy with a sound financial system and we have a well-educated and skilled workforce.

The agriculture sector is well placed to prosper, and will do so through the endeavours of farmers and the maintenance of an open and competitive business environment.

The Government has laid the foundations for a stronger agriculture sector. We have reduced regulation, removed the Carbon Tax, increased export market access, invested in infrastructure and refined the settings for foreign investment.

And through this White Paper we are going further to set the environment needed to drive better returns for farmers. Better returns will see increased investment, job creation, stronger regional communities and economic growth.

Our vision is to build a more profitable, more resilient and more sustainable agriculture sector to help drive a stronger Australian economy.