Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

For the good of all Australians we need to rethink Australian agriculture

By Syd Hickman and Cameron Andrews - posted Thursday, 18 September 2003


Environmental problems are also reaching crisis point. Dryland salinity now affects about five million hectares of Australian land. Along with other soil and water problems, this costs the economy about $2 billion per year in rectification programs and lost productivity. The Australian Conservation Foundation and the National Farmers Federation recently produced a joint report suggesting that $60 billion of public and private capital will be needed over ten years to fix the land.

Yet 70 per cent of farmers surveyed three years ago thought that taxpayers should carry the responsibility of paying for environmental remediation and that farmers should be compensated for any loss in farmers' rights as a result of improved environmental management.

Financial hand-outs to some farmers artificially lift farm prices, preventing the land consolidation which would promote better environmental management, and better economic outcomes.

Advertisement

The government's obsession with agriculture is also a handicap to the export success of the rest of the economy. Attempts to get a better trade deal for farmers are worth some effort but the potential benefits of agricultural trade liberalisation are so unlikely and so limited they do not justify the huge effort now devoted to them.

The Reid Group advocates the formation of a Rural Assessment Commission. This expert and independent agency could assess the long-term viability of regions and recommend economic and socially viable futures.

Governments should withdraw all support from the remaining single desk marketing authorities.

Rural subsidies should be reassessed and those that survive should be quantified annually.

Drought relief should be limited to the social welfare program and put on the same basis as applies to all other Australians who are in need of income support.

True liberals should be outraged at this endless largesse being directed towards the privileged agricultural sector.

Advertisement

Real reform would produce more efficient farms and a better environment. Taxes would be better spent. Communities and individuals would thrive when fear of change was replaced by a planned transition to real economic and environmental sustainability.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

Article edited by John Carrigan.
If you'd like to be a volunteer editor too, click here.

This paper is an edited extract of a larger paper available from the Reid Group here.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Authors

Syd Hickman has worked as a school teacher, soldier, Commonwealth and State public servant, on the staff of a Premier, as chief of Staff to a Federal Minister and leader of the Opposition, and has survived for more than a decade in the small business world.

Cameron Andrews, a former state president of the Democrats, is an adviser to the independent state MP David Barr and Chair of the Reid Group.

Other articles by these Authors

All articles by Syd Hickman
All articles by Cameron Andrews
Related Links
The Reid Group
Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy