2007 NTCA Yearbook - Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association

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NAQS Year In Review The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) in 2006-07, through its Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS), has continued to work with residents and land owners in northern Australia in order to manage the quarantine risks from our northern neighbours. NAQS activities included: • Early detection - developing and implementing measures for the early detection of targeted pests and diseases in coastal northern Australia – these included undertaking surveillance and monitoring activities throughout the target zones (the coastal areas from Broome to Cairns). • Border management - monitoring the movement of products through the Torres Strait in order to reduce the risk of unwanted exotic pests and diseases entering Australia from our northern neighbours. • Offshore capacity building - working with Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Timor Leste to strengthen their regional quarantine in order to minimise the risks of exotic pests and diseases outbreaks. • Public awareness - encouraging people living and working in northern Australia to keep a top watch and report sightings of unusual pests and diseases to quarantine. The vital work undertaken by AQIS through the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy relies heavily on the support of residents and land owners within the NAQS region, as without their support and assistance, it would not be possible to undertake these activities. For further information on the NAQS program or other AQIS activities contact the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service Darwin office on 08 8920 7000 or visit www.aqis.gov.au. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY n rw BOLT S U P P L I E S 15 Graffin Cresent Winnellie NT Ph: (08) 8947 8400 Tools For Your Trade Registered Supplier Outlets 31 Elder Street Alice Springs NT Ph: (08) 8952 3155 For all your Fastening, Lifting and Tool needs Suppling quality products from major brands..... Normist Pty Ltd ABN 36 009 625 530 All kinds of Fasteners, Lifting and Transport Gear, Welding Equipment, Trade Tools, Safety Gear, Consumables, Cleaners, Abrasives, Lubricants, Sealants, Touch Up Paint, Wheel and Castors....... A Division of Normist Pty Ltd Online Sales @ www.normist.com.au A Northern Territory, Family Owned Company 28 Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Year in review 2006-2007
Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Incorporated Advancing and Protecting the Interests of Cattle Producers in the Northern Territory NFF Report cont. • Precision and resolution of climate change projections and adoption responses. • Identifying and measuring of emissions from agricultural practices. There is a lot of guess work and estimations at present • The potential of Bio-energy to reduce emissions. • Development of cost effective options for mitigation and sequestration of CO2 emissions. NFF wants government commitment and resources to build a research capacity so as to define and design the required policies and outcomes in a time frame that provides certainty and security for the future of the agricultural sector. Infrastructure Australian Farmers are proud of their strong record of productivity and growth (of necessity), but realise that we are only as strong as our weakest link in remaining competitive. Transport infrastructure across all modes is absolutely vital to ensure onfarm efficiencies are matched throughout the supply chain. NFF has highlighted specific concerns to the Government including: • Rail infrastructure – aging rail tracks and poorly designed tracks mean trains are speed limited and unreliable. • A significant investment in road infrastructure at a local level through increased support to Roads to Recovery Programmes. • A north-south rail corridor with freight hubs along this and other corridors creating greater inter-connectivity between road and rail. In general NFF envisages Federal funding of a second round of “Auslink” type programmes. We need more than the $15 billion allocated in the first round. Ports and their infrastructure are also dragging the chain. Labour In the face of our labour shortages across Australia, the Australian government has introduced the so called 457 Visa for skilled and semi-skilled migrants to relieve the labour shortages and boost productivity. However it has had little use in our sector due to the minimum salary conditions being aligned to other industries (eg mining) and not to our awards established under Workchoice and the Australian Fair Pay and Conditions Standards. More work needs to be done to encourage foreign workers into Agriculture. Their applicable tax rate should be lowered from 29% to 13% in line with Australian workers. It would not cost the Australian Tax Man anything as withheld-tax is reimbursed on departure and this extra money in workers’ pay packets would be spent locally on GST goods. Quarantine NFF is requesting additional funding to ensure that the new Import Risk Assessment System is implemented as intended. There is a considerable back log of requests. NFF pressed hard for the recent adoption by the federal government of changes to IRAs bolstering the role of the now named Eminent Scientist Group. The aim is to ensure our Quarantine System is not only science based but has a practical science based system supporting it. Much work has gone into this NFF’s Budget Submission. This year we not only have to influence the present government, but also we have to work on an alternative government to make sure they know where NFF is coming from. There is a very interesting and challenging year ahead. Regarding last week’s Policy Council Meeting, the main part of the Agenda was keeping up with committee and sub-committee reports. There was no major change of direction. Treasurer Nick Keatinge, along with Ben Fargher and his staff, are working within their budget. Like some other Executive Director we know, Ben has a great capacity to get someone else to pay for whatever has to be done. A large proportion of NFF staff are seconded from elsewhere. It is a challenge for NFF to do what we want them to do with the money we can afford to pay them. This year we not only have to influence the present government, but also we have to work on an alternative government to make sure they know where NFF is coming from. There is a very interesting and challenging year ahead. ©istockphoto.com/Nicolette Neish Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Year in review 2006-2007 29
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2007 NTCA Yearbook - Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association

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