23 June 2026
NSW Farmers has expressed deep concern the 2026-27 NSW State Budget has failed to deliver the transformational investment the agricultural sector needs, as the State's farmers push toward a $30 billion industry by 2030 - a goal the Government says it enthusiastically supports.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said existing commitments for feral pig controls, the State's Cattle Tick Program, regional roads and the AgSkilled program had been previously announced and the Budget failed to address the sector's overarching concerns.
"Producers are facing generational challenges and what we've seen today is a recycled response that does nothing to address the issues that matter most," Mr Martin said.
"Agriculture is an economic powerhouse, contributing more than $25 billion to the NSW economy and supporting tens of thousands of jobs in our regions.
"We put a comprehensive, fully costed roadmap, to achieve a $30 billion sector, on the table including investments in R&D, land tax reform, biosecurity, rail, water, land use and our workforce - every one of them with a positive return for the NSW taxpayer.
"The Premier has previously said that as the State transitions away from coal towards primary industries there will be no strong NSW without a strong agriculture sector.
"We agree, but a budget that fails to back that roadmap is a budget that fails to achieve this ambition."
Mr Martin said that while NSW Farmers acknowledged the Government's fiscal challenges, the sector's needs could not be deferred indefinitely.
"NSW farmers are dealing with cost-of-production shocks, natural disasters, failing local roads, a biosecurity system under siege and a rising tax burden - all at the same time," Mr Martin said.
"This is the last budget before polling day - and on today's showing, there is a great deal of unfinished business."
"We will now be seeking binding, funded commitments from all parties ahead of the next NSW election - and we will be letting our members know exactly who has stood up for them, and who has not."
