The Minns Labor Government today passed legislation in the Parliament to establish an independent statutory Agriculture Commissioner, delivering the Government's election commitment in full.
The Commissioner's role will be to provide independent advice, conduct reviews and make recommendations to the NSW Government on agricultural matters, including productivity, land use conflict and food security.
The Government has made significant progress in delivering its election commitments supporting our farmers - including the delivery of NSW's first independent Biosecurity Commissioner and Agriculture Workforce Strategy Roundtables, plus record funding for Biosecurity, Local Land Services and Landcare.
The Agriculture Commissioner Act 2024 was developed following extensive engagement with primary industry organisations, NSW Farmers and local councils.
The recruitment process for engaging a Commissioner has begun and will be announced in due course.
The Commissioner's workplan will be responsive to emerging agricultural priorities, and at the direction of the Minister for Agriculture.
The initial workplan and priorities for the Commissioner have been directed by the NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, to be as follows:
- Advise the NSW Government on the development of a rural land use policy to guide on managing competing demands for land use and access from food and fibre producers
- Assist the NSW Government in progressing the development of an ongoing system for defining, identifying, and mapping agricultural lands and its use throughout the State
- To progress the pilot of the Farm Practices Panel aimed at reducing conflict between agricultural producers and neighbours on a broader scale
- Provide input and advice about addressing ongoing challenges related to critical renewable energy infrastructure to support our energy transition and the impact it can have on landholders, and in particular, farmers.
The Bill specifically requires the Commissioner to promote a coordinated and collaborative approach to supporting the agriculture industry.
Under the new legislation the Commissioner can engage experts and stakeholders, plus consult broadly with Government and non-government stakeholders to inform its reviews and advice.
The Act introduces a requirement for a statutory review every five years.
NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said:
"Our Government has delivered on another election commitment, passing legislation to establish NSW's first statutory Agriculture Commissioner with the required powers to assist our primary industries to be the best, safest and most productive they can be.
"The former government failed to deliver a statutory role and that is why we went to the election promising to set this role up and deliver what farmers had for years been calling for.
"Our Government is moving quickly to protect and enhance farming productivity to ensure our farmers can keep on providing food and fibre to our communities.
"I look forward to announcing the Commissioner in due course."
