Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie

MODERNISING Australia’s agricultural research and development corporation structure is the focus of a discussion paper released for comment today.

Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie said the discussion paper is about modernising Australia’s agricultural research and development to ensure the RDC system is delivering value for levy and tax payers into the future.

Submissions to the discussion paper by November 4 will be considered by an advisory panel that will make recommendations to the Federal Government early next year.

The discussion paper outlines key focus areas to support a modern RDC system that will:

• deliver value for money for levy payers and the taxpayers who fund the RDC system
• drive collaboration and participation across the agricultural innovation system, with a focus on better cooperation and improved adoption of R&D
• target long-term cross-sectoral and transformative R&D
• improve levy-payer representation and advocacy.

Ms McKenzie said Australian agriculture is an international success story and the Morrison McCormack Government is working to ensure farmers can build on that success.

“Our farmers feed and clothe our nation and send safe, high-quality, sustainable products to markets around the globe.

“Farming underpins profitable farming families, strong rural and regional communities and contributes to our national economy,” she said.

“That’s why our government is committed to realising a $100 billion industry by 2030.

“Agriculture in the 21^st century will be science-led, employ more cutting-edge technology and need highly skilled workers,” Ms McKenzie said.

“If we’re to position agriculture as an agile, industry of choice for the 21st century we need to see what improvements we can make that will help us get there.

“This is an opportunity for those who have a stake in the system to be involved so we can make sure our agriculture sector is operating as effectively and efficiently as it can,” she said.

Modernising the Research and Development Corporation system: Discussion paper is available for comment until 4 November, 2019.