Mrs PHILLIPS (Gilmore) (12:48): I was born and raised on the New South Wales South Coast. I grew up on a dairy farm, and I am from six local generations of dairy farmers. From a young child, I've seen the impacts that severe droughts, floods, storms and bushfires have on the land.
I've watched my family and my neighbours struggle to keep their cattle alive and their businesses afloat, and, during hard times, some have been forced to make hard choices—choices no-one should ever have to make.
Over the past 50 years I've seen firsthand the devastation caused by natural disasters and what happens when farmers live through these times and, sadly, give up hope.
In my first speech in this place, I spoke about my dad, a dairy farmer. I still remember his visible distress when he thought he might have to sell the family farm. My family was lucky, through hard work, that that farm is still going. But I know there are farmers and food producers across our country facing these same struggles.
As a regional member, I know how important our agriculture, seafood and forest industries are to towns on the New South Wales South Coast, to our country and to the world. I'm proud to say that I'm a member of the House Standing Committee on Primary Industries, which allows me to gain a more detailed understanding of issues that impact farmers and farming communities in all corners of Australia.
Following the last few years, when relentless drought, unprecedented bushfires, floods and a string of coastal storms impacted my electorate, it's no surprise that the relationship between agriculture and climate change is something I am very passionate about. Farmers in my region have felt and are still feeling the impact of climate change, and they want real action.
I'm proud that the Albanese Labor government is improving onfarm climate resilience to equip our producers with the tools, the knowledge and the support they need to adapt and thrive in the face of our changing climate. Our government is working hand in hand with farmers to ensure they get the support they need and where it's needed most.
Supporting our producers through hardship is crucial, but so too is building a more resilient future. That's why we're broadening the scope to support climate resilience, productivity and the transition to net zero. We're providing $519 million for the Future Drought Fund to help communities manage climate risks through practical, locally led projects.
We're backing farmers through the Agriculture and Land Sector Plan, backed by more than $2 billion in investment, to ensure our farmers and producers can confidently face our climate future. This is in addition to our other investments to support climate resilience and sustainability, including the $302 million Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, $87 million for the zero net emissions CRC and $60.8 million to support emissions reductions efforts.
The Albanese Labor government is investing in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors and securing our food security for generations to come.
The National Farmers' Federation has set a goal for Australia's agriculture sector to grow its farmgate output to $100 billion by 2030. By working closely with the industry, we are closer to that goal than ever before. New data released by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences forecast that the value of agricultural production will rise to $95 billion this financial year. When you include our fisheries and forestry sectors, that figure rises to more than $100 billion.
The Albanese government is opening up and diversifying trade opportunities, including through entering into a new free-trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which came into force on 1 October, and we're providing new pathways for our organic producers to export to Japan and India. These opportunities mean more jobs and economic security for regional communities.
Of course, at the heart of a successful agriculture sector is also a strong biosecurity system to protect our farmers, our environment and our economy from pests and diseases. That's why we've committed more than $2 billion in additional funding to strengthen our biosecurity walls since coming to office.
As a farm girl through and through, I'm proud to be part of a government that is delivering for primary industry, regional communities and all Australians.
