Posted by Rita Mu
New South Wales Labor Premier Kristina Keneally said the Labor Party will invest $7.8 million to protect farming land if she is re-elected at the state election this Saturday.
The Premier said the investment, which will be a part of the Building Regional NSW strategy, would help to secure the future of the food production in New South Wales.
The plan will include the development of Food Security Taskforce comprising government agencies, farmers and food sustainability experts to help identify land and opportunities to secure food production.
Ms Keneally said the New South Wales Labor Government would also invest $2.8 million to building artificial reefs at South West Rocks, Gosford and Kiama. According to the Premier, the investment will generate an estimated $92 million return for the fishing and associated industries. Immediate legislative changes will also be introduced to remove inefficient restrictions on commercial fishers, cut red tape and allow more flexibility in fisheries.
“Everyone has the right to inexpensive and nutritious food – this is not just a cost of living issue – it’s an issue of our survival,” Ms Keneally said.
“A re-elected Keneally Labor Government’s Food Security Taskforce will work closely with primary producers to manage lands and waterways to sustain quality food production in New South Wales.”
New South Wales Opposition leader Barry O’Farrell said if he is elected this Saturday, the Coalition will halt all new mine and gas exploration licenses for up to a year and an extensive study on the competing use of agricultural land will be conducted prior to any mining developments beginning.
Under a Coalition government, there will also be more active monitoring of water resources, particularly in parts of the state where mines have been proposed.
New South Wales’ $8.6 billion agriculture industry employs more than 207,000 people.
The New South Wales elections will be held this Saturday 26 March.
Image: une.edu.au