3.1
This chapter considers the key issues discussed during the hearing for the Agriculture, Water and the Environment portfolio on 15 February 2022.
3.2
The committee heard from divisions of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (the department) and portfolio agencies in the following order:
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Corporate Matters (Corporate and Business Services; Finance; Information Services; People; and Legal Divisions);
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Outcome Three (AGVET Chemicals, Fisheries, Forestry and Engagement; Agricultural Policy; Drought and Farm Resilience; Portfolio Strategy; Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences; Water; and Trade, Market Access and International Divisions);
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources Outcome Four (Biosecurity Animal; Biosecurity Operations; Biosecurity Strategy and Reform; Biosecurity Plant; Compliance and Enforcement; Exports and Veterinary Services; Plant and Live Animal Exports; Digital Trade Initiatives; and Trade Reform Divisions);
Inspector-General for Biosecurity;
Grains Research and Development Corporation;
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority;
Meat and Livestock Australia;
Horticulture Innovation Australia;
Australian Fisheries Management Authority;
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation; and
Australian Wool Innovation Limited.
Corporate Matters
3.3
Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, read a short statement detailing some highlights and challenges facing the department including:
the department’s work from home arrangements and productivity during the COVID–19 pandemic;
response to the ongoing mouse plague;
regionalisation of the department’s workforce; and
progress on the department’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
Outcome Three
3.4
Topics discussed under Outcome Three include:
agricultural labour shortages;
consultation with states and territories on animal welfare standards and guidelines;
agriculture worker visas;
measures under the Agriculture Biodiversity Stewardship package;
disruptions to supply chains as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic;
Victorian regional forest agreements and regeneration of native forests;
timber availability and shortages; and
the pledge to plant one billion trees.
Outcome Four
3.5
Topics discussed under Outcome Four include:
live export and animal welfare matters including a review of heat stress, shearing requirements and cost recovery measures;
investment into horse traceability arrangements;
number and locations of biosecurity detector dogs;
new funding allocated to the eradication of pests and weeds;
biosecurity concerns around the importation of flowers from overseas destinations; and
implementation of recommendations made by the Inspector-General of Biosecurity.
Inspector-General for Biosecurity
3.6
Questioning from the committee centred on the December 2021 report titled Accountable implementation of Inspectors-General of Biosecurity review recommendations (2015–2021). In particular, committee members sought information on the implementation of recommendations made by the Inspector-General and the costs of doing so. Mr Rob Delane, Inspector-General for Biosecurity, noted that the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment had been supportive of his work. He gave evidence that the nature of his role is ‘rear-view’ and that his job is not to promote work that is being done today, but to instead find areas of improvement. Mr Delane also stood by comments made in the report, saying that ‘if the pretty simple governance changes that I’ve recommended are made and if they had been made back in, let's say, 2016, which was the scope of my review, then no further reviews would have been necessary’.
Grains Research and Development Corporation
3.7
The committee heard evidence from the Grains Research and Development Corporation on development of perennial grains in northern Queensland. Mr John Woods, Chair of the Grains Research and Development Corporation, told the committee that although this is not a priority for the agency right now, there have been discrete initiatives to look at what might be possible. Mr Woods said that perennial wheat in the north has not been deemed a priority by growers as part of the current research and development plan but that consultations are always ongoing to investigate opportunities that are available.
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
3.8
The committee heard evidence from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority on a range of topics including:
permits and guidelines for poison use in fruit baits;
safety assessments of chemical mixtures that are present in a single product;
assessment process and adverse event reports related to the chemical Bixlozone; and
processing times for permit approvals.
Dairy Australia
3.9
The committee received updates from Dairy Australia including:
exploration of alternative revenue sources for Dairy Australia outside of levies;
skilled worker shortages in the dairy industry; and
Woolworths’ phasing out of the 10 cent drought levy.
Meat and Livestock Australia
3.10
Discussion with Meat and Livestock Australia briefly canvassed a variety of topics including:
the agencies spending on marketing;
broad-scale use and investment into the Numb Nuts product; and
measures to address the workforce shortage across the red meat sector.
Horticulture Innovation Australia
3.11
The committee predominantly received updates on corporate matters within Horticulture Australia including:
appointment process for a new Chief Executive Officer; and
number of registered members and communication with members in the lead up to the agency’s Annual General Meeting.
Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
3.12
The committee heard jointly from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation on a range of topics including:
negotiations between the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the oil and gas industry for compensation of commercial fishers for seismic testing;
trials for fin fish aquaculture; and
funding for the control of invasive urchins.
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
3.13
The session with Australian Wool Innovation included discussion on the following:
shearing technology research to be undertaken at Falkiner Research Station;
costs and usage of WoolQ; and
potential audit of the agency by the Australian National Audit Office.