Growcom is pleased to be represented on the new National Farmers’ Federation (NFF)-led Australian Horticultural Council.
Through this policy forum, the NFF will directly represent the interests of Australia’s diverse horticulture sector to help ensure our industry has a stronger and more united voice in Canberra.
Alongside Growcom, the Victorian Farmers’ Federation, NSW Farmers, the Voice of Horticulture and six commodity groups will be represented on the Council.
Commodity groups to be represented include the Australian Blueberry Growers’ Association, AUSVEG, Apple and Pear Australia Ltd, Dried Fruits Australia, the Voice of Horticulture (representing 21 members) and Summer Fruits Australia Limited.
Growcom brings with it to the table considerable insights from key horticultural representatives from across Queensland, via the Queensland Horticulture Council (QHC).
Growcom initiated the QHC in early 2015 to better coordinate policy responses on key issues and investigate opportunities to work more closely together.
The group, which meets monthly by teleconference, comprises representatives from the Lockyer Valley Growers, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Gayndah Fruitgrowers and the Mareeba District Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association.
Horticulture is notorious for being disjointed and disorganised, so we are pleased that this national approach is now also being taken to presenting a united voice for the industry Australia-wide.
To form the Council, Growcom and other representative organisations signed an official Memorandum of Understanding agreeing the forum was established to ‘strive for more efficient, effective, cohesive horticulture policy and advocacy that affects all agriculture at the national level’.
Trade and market access, biosecurity, infrastructure, workplace relations and digital technology adoption have been identified as some of the key policy issues nationally, alongside the need to correctly manage seasonal labour challenges in horticulture.
Growcom’s appointment to the Australian Horticulture Council can only serve to bolster the important work already being done to unite horticulture in Queensland. We look forward to working with the NFF and all representatives to present a unified approach to government for the good of Queensland growers.