“If we want agriculture to keep growing, we need to be clear about what is getting in the way,” Mr Birrell said after his appointment.
“In irrigation regions like the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District, access to affordable water has become a major roadblock.”
“Fuel and fertiliser are also critical to production,” he said.
“These challenges directly affect what farmers can produce and how they plan for the season ahead.”
Mr Birrell retains the role of Assistant Shadow Minister for Regional Education.
An agronomist who graduated from the University of Melbourne’s Dookie College campus, Mr Birrell has worked with farmers on crop production, soil health, pest management and irrigation.
He later worked for irrigation company Netafim, carrying that expertise to farms across Australia and New Zealand.
“Australian agriculture continues to demonstrate enormous resilience and strength, producing the food and fibre the nation relies on and contributing significantly to the health of the national economy,” Mr Birrell said.
“I have always championed agriculture and the upstream and downstream jobs it supports, particularly in food processing, transport and distribution,” Mr Birrell said.
“What is produced in our regions underpins our food security and our economy,” Mr Birrell said.
He said in irrigation regions like the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District, access to affordable water had become a major roadblock.
“Fuel and fertiliser are also critical to production,” he said.
Mr Birrell said strengthening agriculture would require a focus on productivity, innovation and education, including maintaining Australia’s strong biosecurity system.
“We need to keep improving efficiency, adopting new technology and supporting the next generation into agriculture,” he said.
Mr Birrell will work with Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Darren Chester.
