Agriculture will grow under a Liberal Nationals government

WHEN regional Victoria’s economy is strong, all Victorians benefit.

An elected Liberal Nationals government will make the investments to drive growth and support jobs in Victoria’s agriculture industries to benefit all Victorians.

Food and fibre production is the backbone of our regional communities. A Liberal Nationals Government will invest to make sure these vital sectors continue to grow and support jobs and business opportunities throughout our State.

If elected, the Liberal Nationals will establish the Grow Victoria: Food and Fibre Exports Program with a $40 million investment that will help our local farmers and food manufacturers to get more Victorian products into the rapidly expanding Asian markets.

Victoria’s reputation for clean, green, premium produce puts us in prime position to grow food and fibre exports but the current city-centric State Labor Government has failed to grasp the opportunity knocking at our farm gates.

Under the Liberal Nationals leadership, we will reverse the Andrews Government’s funding cuts and ensure Victoria’s food and fibre export strategy addresses key drivers including market access, research and development, reducing red tape and infrastructure investment.

Victoria is the nation’s largest exporter of agricultural goods but other states have increased their share of exports in the past three years and Victoria has declined, dropping from 28 per cent of Australian exports in 2013-14 to 25 per cent in 2016-17.

Comments attributable to Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Guy:

“When regional Victoria’s economy is strong every Victorian benefits.

“Creating more great jobs in regional Victoria is the key to decentralising our population.

“A Liberal Nationals Government I lead will ensure Victoria’s farm and food businesses can continue to grow, and the regional communities these sectors support will also thrive.

“We have innovative farmers and food businesses and exciting prospects for high value export markets right on our doorstep, and a Liberal Nationals government is committed to making sure Victoria’s food and fibre sectors seize every opportunity that is available.”

Comments attributable to Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh:

“A city-centric Labor Government has been short-sighted in the last four years but a Liberal Nationals government will restore funding and get this important work back on track.

“Regional development and decentralising our population will only succeed if we create good, secure and well-paying jobs and business opportunities in regional Victoria.

“Only the Liberal Nationals have a plan to invest in the future of our farmers and food manufacturers, and in turn this is an investment in the people and communities of regional Victoria.

“Growing Victoria’s farm and food businesses will create more great jobs in the industry and that will help grow our regions and decentralise our population.”

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