Publications
Labor
IPA REVIEW ARTICLE
Since becoming the surprise choice as Minister for Agriculture in the new Rudd government, Tony Burke has, by and large, said sensible things on all the big issues confronting agriculture. In so doing he has upset both the diminishing band of wheat single desk supporters and Greenpeace. This is a very good thing.
Burke set out to get an understanding of agriculture by travelling around and talking to farmers. At times he comes across as surprised at what's he's found: the city politician fascinated to discover croppers use satellite navigation and conservation farming instead of raising massive dust storms by ploughing. Yet this is helpful-farmers too often fail to explain to non-farmers what modern farming looks like. Having a voice around the cabinet table in support of the most pioneering farmers instead of the neediest must be positive. For too long the coalition framed agricultural policy as welfare programs for failing farmers instead of pushing the industry to innovate and perform better on the world stage.
Especially helpful have been the new minister's comments on genetically modified foods. Much to the dismay of the anti-science brigade who had hoped to move their campaign against GM from the states to the new federal government, Tony Burke has grasped the importance of GM to farmers both as an aid to profitability and for good environmental practice.
Full marks must be assigned for his comments on the single desk for wheat. Single desk supporters raised the expectation that the new minister would reverse Labor's policy of deregulation. By immediately reiterating that deregulation would be pursued, Burke has indicated Labor could act in growers and the national interest, instead of the sectional interests of the National Party.
On balance, his suggestion that drought payments be reformed to require preparedness for drought is also positive. This appears to be an improvement on the current welfare system, but this new system would need to be paid in non-drought periods so preparation can occur. The end result might just be more money as, come the next drought, it is unlikely any government could withstand the vociferous pleadings of the farm lobby for those struggling.
Overwhelmingly farmers don't vote Labor yet on initial indications they have lucked-in with a smart, sensible minister.