Farmsafe Australia chair Felicity Richards.

AUSTRALIA’S leading farm safety body will ask the Albanese Government to match a $2.5 million funding promise from Nationals leader David Littleproud.

Mr Littleproud has said a future Coalition Government will provide $2.5 million over three years for farm safety, by supporting Farmsafe Australia and the delivery of the National Farm Safety Education Fund Strategy.

Mr Littleproud said he was proud to announce the critical funding, which would protect and save more lives on the farm.

“Agriculture consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous industries to work in,” Mr Littleproud said.

“In 2024, 72 lives were lost and 133 serious injuries were recorded, which is more than double those recorded in 2023.

“The Coalition supports the lives and livelihood of Australian farmers,” he said.

“We must protect the people who put food on the table and clothes on our back.

“The agriculture industry will only continue to grow if it is safe.”

Tasmanian beef farmer and Farmsafe Australia chair Felicity Richards described the funding as “absolutely phenomenal” and said the body would be writing to the Albanese Government to seek a matching commitment.

She acknowledged that the commitment depended on the Coalition gaining government in the coming federal election.

“But we would very much like the (Albanese) government to match it.”

Sheep Central requests for comment from the office of Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins over the past week have so far been unanswered.

Ms Richards said Farmsafe Australia currently receives $125,000 annually from the Federal Government, until 2027. This paid for the annual $75,000 Farm Safety Week campaign and some Farmsafe Australia administration.

Ms Richards said farm safety concerns should align with every political party that cares for people.

“I would certainly hope that Labor would recognise that this is about recognising and protecting an absolutely critical workforce and supporting its people.

“And in doing so, supporting other things like supporting retention and attracting people to the agricultural workforce.”

Ms Richards said Farmsafe Australia funding is very challenging and the body is very grateful to the government for the annual Farm Safety Week campaign.

“But that’s it, other than that we are deeply grateful to our corporates that support … a base that we have managed to slowly grow.”

She said Farmsafe Australia has been trying to build the corporate sponsorship over a longer period to enable forward planning.

“We completely recognise that this is an industry thing; you’ve got to get industry, corporate as well as government.

“We don’t want to be just leaning on government,” Ms Richards said.

“But we really want government to step up and lead the way.”

Ms Richards said relying on volunteers because of lack of funding was “really hard going.”

“I would like to free our staff member up so she can actually be doing that strategic work that shows value to those corporates who as members are putting their faith in us.

“It’s really hard to do that when you are scratching for funding all the time.”

She said additional funding would give Farmsafe Australia an anchor from which to move forward and build momentum, embedding safer practices in agriculture that ultimately saves lives in farming communities.

“And after last year’s figures, we desperately need it.

“We’ve got a real problem in our industry and we want to address that.”

“We know farmers are facing increasing pressure all the time, from weather events like droughts and floods, market pressures and other competing priorities that are often not within their control.

“It’s so easy for farmers to say ‘I just have to get the job done’ but you can’t finish a job from a hospital bed. Safety has to be the first priority,” she said.

“We need to build a culture of safety and the only way to do that is with sustained campaigns and impactful messages. We can’t do it without support, which is why this funding is so critically important.”

Mr Littleproud outlined that a future Coalition Government’s farm safety strategy will be delivered through:

Education and awareness to develop and disseminate educational materials on safety practices.

Community engagement to facilitate conversations between farming families, industry and government, to ensure a coordinated effort.

A national campaign across various media channels to promote farm safety.