"The Palaszczuk Government is urging Queenslanders to help build a bold vision for how our iconic agribusiness and food sector can grow and function in the years ahead."
That's the opening line of a media release from Agriculture Minister Mark Furner last week that called for feedback on the Growing for Queensland discussion paper.
It was hoped the discussion paper would spark conversations about how we use new ways of thinking to grow a trusted, profitable and sustainable agribusiness and food sector.
And the aim of this conversation - to develop a five-year strategy for the future of the agriculture industry..."to set us up for the future", Mr Furner said.
While it's definitely a conversation that needs to be had, I can't help but wonder if Mr Furner even believes himself when he says "we will listen to your input".
There were various times in the past two years alone that the Labor government could have listened to conversations about the future of the agriculture industry. That input seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Marks against them include vegetation management laws, the closure of pastoral colleges, reef regulations, and their soft approach to animal activists.
At this point, I'm not even sure they know how to listen to anything other than the sound of their own voices.
I must admit that I did not read the entire 56-page discussion paper. The summary and first few pages were enough to have me scratching my head over the irony.
One thing did stand out in those early pages though. In the foreword, Mr Furner wrote: "I want a rewarding, interesting, profitable and respected future for those who choose a career in agriculture."
It's a goal I think many in the industry would agree with, but the problem is that fewer people are choosing a career in agriculture.
If the government truly wants to "unleash the potential of our agricultural sector", they need to rethink the red tape they are imposing on the industry, the red tape that makes it harder and harder for the next generation.
I don't need a discussion paper to tell me "the way forward". I need the government to realise that the future of our industry lies in the hands of the next generation. It's imperative that we give them the opportunities to take the reins.
- Hayley Kennedy, QCL journalist, Roma.
