Australian Dairy Farmers says it looks forward to continuing to work with Julie Collins, who has been reappointed as Federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister.
Ms Collins held onto the agriculture portfolio in a new-look ministry after Labor’s landslide election win.
In the reshuffle, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took the environment and water portfolio off Tania Plibersek and gave it to Murray Watt, who had been Employment and Workplace Relations Minister.
ADF president Ben Bennett congratulated Ms Collins and Senator Watt on their appointments.
He welcomed Ms Collins’ continued leadership and her commitment to engaging with dairy farmers.
“Minister Collins has sought to understand the dairy industry’s challenges and opportunities first-hand and we’re pleased to see her return to the portfolio,” Mr Bennett said.
“With many prime dairying areas currently in the midst of the worst drought on record, we look forward to being involved in the development of the government’s new national food security strategy.”
ADF hosted Ms Collins on drought-affected dairy farms last year and Mr Bennett said they enjoyed strong engagement with the minister in the previous term of government.
Mr Bennett said ADF also looked forward to engaging with Senator Watt on water, drought and food security issues, emphasising the importance of collaboration between the agriculture and environment portfolios.
Senator Watt was previously Federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister form 2022 to 2024.
“We are eager to work with Minister Watt to ensure that environmental policies support the sustainable growth of the dairy industry,” Mr Bennett said.
“Minister Watt’s experience in the agriculture portfolio brings first-hand knowledge of the fragile balance that exists between environmental goals and food security, which will be a benefit to the dairy industry.
“ADF took a package of water investment priorities to the last election and we look forward to discussing these with Minister Watt.
“Effective water management is crucial for our farmers, and we believe that Minister Watt’s leadership will be instrumental in achieving balanced and forward-thinking solutions.”