CEO COMMENT By Dan Galligan, CEO CANEGROWERS
POLITICAL INFLUENCE IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS If a week is a long time in politics, what could happen in 160 weeks? 160 weeks ago Malcolm Turnbull had just been deposed and replaced as Prime Minister by Scott Morrison. In 160 weeks from now, Queensland will be heading into another election. Politics is often a volatile melee, with little apparent consistency or strategy. As a result, CANEGROWERS role in political advocacy can be challenging. Effective advocacy of any kind is built on strong relationships but building trusting, honest and forthright relationships can take time. As an industry body with nearly 100 years of experience, CANEGROWERS has a culture of looking at the long game. We will not be distracted by the drama of the day. We take that approach to political advocacy and, by extension, the relationships that need to be formed if we are to turn around entrenched government policy decisions. Essentially, we are in the business of changing minds. Many issues that threaten the profitability of cane growers, which is our highest priority, are long term issues. These longer-term policy impacts can be insidious. While they can start out as mildly inconvenient, they can progress quite quickly to become downright threatening to livelihoods. To avoid this outcome, we must present well thought-out policy options for both the sitting and any prospective government ministers. Obviously, the next Queensland state election means a possible change in government. CANEGROWERS sees it as critically important that the process of informing better policy outcomes starts well before polling day. That is why over recent weeks, several CANEGROWERS district offices have hosted MPs and representatives from the opposition and minor parties. CANEGROWERS representatives have used the visits to influence the policy views of these politicians. It is important we do this now and not wait for an election, because who knows what might have happened by then. Equally, policy results can be achieved much sooner. A sitting government does not need to wait for an election to be forced to change policy direction. So we continue to meet with key government ministers to present policy options around electricity and water pricing, transport and reef regulations. No matter what 'team' they’re on, effective politicians are always looking to inform their policy views. CANEGROWERS will always represent the views of growers to them to ensure we are credible and representative, but also solutions-focused. Political leaders do not have time on their side. In the end, the numbers will tell the tale in parliament. That’s why we are working every day to add one more number to our side of the ledger – one more politician who shares and supports a positive view of our industry’s future.
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