Chapter 3Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio

3.1This chapter considers the key matters discussed during the hearings for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio on 25 February 2025. The page numbers below reference the relevant Hansard transcript.

3.2The committee heard from the following areas of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) and portfolio agencies:

corporate matters;

programs under Outcome 1 and Outcome 2;

Australian Livestock Export Corporation Limited (LiveCorp);

Meat and Livestock Australia; and

Regional Investment Corporation.

3.3The committee released the following agencies from the hearing without questioning:

Australian Fisheries Management Authority;

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority;

Fisheries Research and Development Corporation;

the Inspector-General for Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports;

the Inspector-General of Biosecurity; and

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (AgriFutures Australia).

Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry

3.4The committee commenced its examination of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio with the department on 25 February 2025.

Corporate matters

3.5The committee heard evidence regarding the corporate matters of the department and discussed the following topics:

departmental staffing (pp. 5–6);

departmental recognition and promotion of cultural celebrations and associated expenditure (pp. 6–9);

departmental expenditure on advertising (p. 13);

executive positions and remuneration (p. 15); and

departmental travel overseas (pp. 16–19).

Outcome 1: More sustainable, productive, internationally competitive and profitable Australian agricultural, food and fibre industries through policies and initiatives that promote better resource management practices, innovation, self-reliance and improved access to international markets

3.6The committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 1 of the department on 25 February 2025. The topics discussed included:

European Union Deforestation Regulation (pp. 23–25);

agricultural exports (pp. 25–38);

sustainable salmon farms in Macquarie Harbour (pp. 38–43);

National Forest Policy Statement (pp. 43–44);

Agricultural Traceability Grants (pp. 45–46);

National Organic Standard (pp.46–48);

phase out of live sheep exports by sea and transition assistance package (pp. 48–70);

forestry operations (pp. 70–74, and 78–79);

South-east Marine Parks Network (pp. 74–76); and

the Regional Investment Corporation Act review (pp. 76–77).

Outcome 2: Safeguard Australia’s animal and plant health status to maintain overseas markets and protect the economy and environment from the impact of exotic pests and diseases, through risk assessment, inspection and certification, and the implementation of emergency response arrangements for Australian agricultural, food and fibre industries

3.7At the committee’s public hearing on 25 February 2025, the committee heard evidence from divisions under Outcome 2 of the department. The committee discussed the following matters:

departmental biosecurity staffing (pp. 79–85);

National Fire Ant Eradication Program (pp. 85–88); and

imported salmon from Chile (pp. 88–90).

Australian Livestock Export Corporation Limited (LiveCorp)

3.8At the committee’s public hearing on 25 February 2025, the committee heard evidence from the Australian Livestock Export Corporation Limited (LiveCorp) who provided updates on live export markets (pp. 90–91) as well as discussing public perception of live exports (pp. 91–92).

Regional Investment Corporation

3.9At the committee’s public hearing on 25 February 2025, the committee heard evidence from the Regional Investment Corporation which provided an update on agency funding (pp. 93–94).

Meat and Livestock Australia

3.10At the committee’s public hearing on 25 February 2025, the committee heard evidence from Meat and Livestock Australia which discussed the 2025 summer lamb advertising campaign (pp. 94–96) and community confidence in Australian live exports (pp. 96–97).

Senator Glenn Sterle

Chair