THE farm group representing Queensland’s intensive agriculture sector has congratulated Rockhampton MP Bill Byrne on his return to the role of agriculture and fisheries minister.
Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk announced this afternoon that Mr Byrne would move from the police and emergency services portfolio to the agriculture and fisheries ministry.
Queensland Farmers Federation president Stuart Armitage thanked Ms Palaszczuk for ensuring agriculture had an experienced minister with and a track record of listening and working constructively with the sector.
“QFF look forward continuing its constructive relationship with the Palaszcuk Government through Minister Byrne,” Mr Armitage said.
“Agriculture is regional and rural Queensland’s mainstay employer and importantly, it is a growing sector during the resources downturn.”
Mr Armitage said growing Queensland’s $17 billion-plus agricultural sector depended on the right government support and policy settings.
“We look forward to working with Minister Byrne to realise this,” Mr Armitage said.
“QFF and our industry members look forward to updating Minister Byrne on industry issues and priorities since he left the agriculture portfolio in December last year.”
The QFF represents the interests of 15 peak rural industry organisations, which in turn collectively represent more than 13,000 primary producers.
