South Australian senator and federal assistant minister for agriculture and water resources, Anne Ruston, has been appointed Australia’s first dedicated minister for horticulture.
Ruston is based in one of Australia’s largest horticultural regions, South Australia’s Riverland, and has extensive experience in the sector. A grower and irrigator before entering Parliament, Ruston has worked closely with the horticultural industry on issues such as biosecurity, export market access and levies for research and development.
“Horticulture in Australia is a diverse, dynamic and innovative industry with a bright future,” Ruston said. “I’m very much looking forward to taking on this portfolio and working with the sector to maximise opportunities for growth, prosperity and sustainability.”
The newly created position will also see Ruston take responsibility for the fisheries and forestry sectors along with Australia’s wine industry. She will also share responsibilities for water reform in the Murray Darling Basin with federal minister for agriculture and water resources, Barnaby Joyce.
The appointment comes after a number of significant developments for the horticulture sector over the last 12 months. A number of categories are already enjoying the benefits of tariff reductions in the South Korean and Japanese markets, brought about under ratified free trade agreements with the Asian nations. The finalisation of a similar trade pact with China also promises to increase Australian trade into the North Asian region.
Earlier this year Joyce announced A$27.6m (US$19.8m) would be made available to fund the first round of the Australian Government’s Rural R&D for Profit Programme. This includes A$2.35m (US$1.68m) for a Horticulture Innovation Australia project to help control Queensland fruit fly and A$3.43m (US$2.46m) to improve tree crop production in the mango, avocado and macadamia industries.
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