27 June 2025. Shane McCarthy, AgForce General President.
One of the most common questions I get asked by members and Non-members alike is "What is AgForce doing about…?"
And the answer to these questions is 'absolutely everything within our power and or influence' - which should not be underestimated.
We don't always get the result we are looking for, but rest assured our Regional Managers, policy staff and those elected as your representatives have given it a red-hot crack. If the result is not in our favour, it's not for lack of trying.
Some of the things that AgForce has been able to achieve or prevent from coming to fruition over the last few years include retaining the Fuel Rebate Scheme, stopping the implementation of the Carbon Tax, standing firm and stopping the poisoning of the Great Artesian Basin, and just recently - reforming the definition of 'primary producer' to be more inclusive of off-farm income. By lobbying hard to get rid of out-dated definitions such as these - more of our farmers are now eligible for crucial disaster assistance.
It's AgForce's long-term advocacy focus that ensures these important messages about the future of our industry and the vulnerability of food security in our country gets through to the highest levels of government.
Such as the recent National Food Security Preparedness Green Paper, which will become the foundation of a National Food Security Strategy. It's a call to action - that the entire nation should look at food security preparedness with the same importance as Australia's national defence.
It outlined how food security preparedness isn't a one-time action - but rather a continuous process that must be constantly adapted to meet evolving threats and risks.
Other projects AgForce is currently working on include better connectivity, improving pathways for freehold from term leases and better management of National Parks and stock routes. Security of live trade, improved pathways for young producers and workers and mental health concerns are also right up there.
The importance of being 'in the room' for these negotiations cannot be overstated - especially in this next term of federal government. This is what AgForce does best. Whilst we have a State government that by all indications has shown that they understand Ag, the newly returned Federal Labor government may not be as helpful.
AgForce is currently under way in recruitment of our next CEO to help take the organisation forward into the future. Our long standing CEO Mike Guerin steps down from his role soon and as such the search is on for his replacement.
His strong contribution in his eight years as CEO has had a substantial impact on this organisation and the Ag industry. He is our longest serving CEO and leaves the organisation in strong shape and with our collective best wishes.
Michael's leadership has shown us the importance of playing the long advocacy game. If we are not in the room for these hard and difficult conversations, it would lead to a far worse outcome for the Agricultural industry.
We as an industry have a great story to tell about how we farm and we are magnificent at telling that story to our own. But we need to get better at telling it to those people who have never seen a calf being born, or a field full of wheat or cane. Those who have never watched a sheep being shorn and don't understand all the hard yakka that goes into what we do.
The wonderful work we as producers do in looking after the environment we live work and play in is too often overlooked. They don't see the things that we take for granted, it just turns up on the shelf in the supermarket and always has. But food security is never a given, and we need to get better at explaining that. And why.
But if we aren't in there telling our story then there is no alternative narrative to that provided by other interest groups - while their version goes dangerously unrefuted.
