Aword from Labor Senator Raff Ciccone

Comment By Senatorraff Ciccone

THROUGH the resilience of regional communities and aproactive and collaborative approach from the Albanese Labor Government, regional Australia has overcome many challenges in 2022 and set itself up for success in 2023.

Throughout the federal election campaign and in the period immediately after Labor formed government, the foot-and-mouth disease posed asignificant threat to the Australian agriculture industry and consequently, the Australian economy. Estimates suggested an outbreak in Australia would cost $80 billion.

Through the strongest biosecurity response in our country’s history and the vigilance of regional communities at the farm gate, we prevented footand-mouth disease from entering Australia.

Of course, this was notthe only challenge confronted by regional Australia in 2022.Floods swept through five states,waterlogging cropsand devastating farmers.

Despite the floods, data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences released in December last year, shows that agriculture is growing. Agricultural production is forecast to be $85 billion in 2022-23, almost the same record level that was set the previous year.

The success of our agriculturesector despite significant challenges is part of Australia’s broader economic story. On January 30, our AAA credit rating was confirmed by Standardand Poor’s, reflecting faith in the underlying health of the Australian economy and responsiblemanagement of our country’s budget in the face of severe global pressures.

By strengthening our fiscal position, the Albanese Labor Government can make important investments in our regions.

The governmentisdeploying our resources strategically, to buildcapacity in ourcommunities so we can withstand shocks like floods, droughts