SIA’s guide to the Albanese government Federal Budget 2022-23 at-a-glance
There were a number of announcements in last night’s 2022-23 Albanese government Federal Budget which will provide ongoing and meaningful support to the Australian seafood industry including a commitment to implementing mandatory Country of Origin Labelling for seafood sold in foodservice, and funding for the national rollout of the Stay Afloat program.
We have welcomed these commitments, a copy of our media statement can be found here.
Our budget overview of the information you need to know is available below:
- Country of Origin Labelling
- $1.6 million has been committed to work with the seafood and hospitality sectors to develop mandatory Country of Origin Labelling for seafood in hospitality that will help consumers know if the seafood they order is Australian, while minimising costs and compliance burden on businesses.
- Read SIA’s press release here.
- Stay Afloat national roll out
- The Government will provide $1.5 million over 2 years from 2022–23 to support the national rollout of Seafood Industry Australia’s Stay Afloat Program, which will establish up to 50 hubs in Australian fishing communities to provide mental health and wellbeing support for commercial fishers and seafood workers.
- Read SIA’s press release here.
- South East Trawl Fishery structural readjustment
- $3m has been allocated or AFMA fee waivers
- $200,000 to extend and broaden the Tuna Champions program
- $5.9m for Fisheries Habitat Restoration
- Powering Australia – Development of Australia’s Seaweed Farming
- FRDC has been allocated $8.1m over three years through DAFF for seaweed farming. The project supports the commercialisation of seaweed as a low emissions feed and support projects that lower barriers to market entry. The funding will support the establishment of the National Hatchery Network, policy reform, and priority research and development activities. This measure delivers on the Government’s election commitment as published in the Plan for a Better Future.
- Marine Parks
- The Government will provide $10.8 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to improve marine park management in Australia, support the health and biodiversity of Australia’s oceans and strengthen Australia’s international engagement and leadership. The cost of this measure will be partially met from within the existing resourcing of the Natural Heritage Trust special account. This measure delivers on the Government’s election commitment as published in the Plan for a Better Future.
- Australian Manufacturing
- The Government will provide $135.5 million over 4 years from 2022–23 to continue to support Australian industry to develop domestic manufacturing capabilities and upskill the manufacturing sector workforce.
- Drought readiness
- The Government will provide $20.8 million over two years from 2022–23 to support Australia’s readiness to respond to drought events. This includes, $14.3 million over two years from 2022–23 to drive adoption of established drought resilience research. $6.6 million over two years from 2022–23 to maintain existing capability for future drought preparedness and support delivery of the National Drought Agreement and National Drought Plan.
- Aviation
- $60.0 million over two years from 2023–24 to upgrade Hobart Airport runway and airfield facilities.
- $55.0 million over two years from 2022–23 to upgrade border services facilities at the Newcastle Airport international terminal.
- $17.9 million over two years from 2022–23 to undertake planning and design work for border services facilities at Western Sydney International Airport.
- Biosecurity
- The Budget includes a substantial down-payment on the Government’s commitment to long-term, sustainable funding for biosecurity through new investments worth $134.1 million, including fast-tracking $61.6 million in funding over the next two years. $11.7 million over 4 years from 2022-23 (and $3.3 million per year ongoing from 2026-27) to expand our detector dog capability at the border, by investing in an additional 20 detector dogs and handlers.
- $46.7 million increased funding for traceability initiatives
- $4 million to establish a new Inspector-General for animal welfare.
- $302 million to invest in sustainable agriculture through the Natural Heritage Trust.
- Budget revisions and savings
- As a result of its Spending Audit, the Government will improve quality of spending by redirecting funding from 2019–20 Budget and 2022–23 March Budget measures. This totals $47.1 million over 4 years from 2022–23 in relation to agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
- Savings include:
- $30.0 million over 4 years from 2022–23 for the partial reversal of the 2022–23 March Budget measure titled Regional Accelerator Program – establishment, including redirecting uncommitted funding for the National Centre for Digital Agriculture Innovation and Adoption Hubs.
- $14.0 million over two years from 2022–23 for the partial reversal of the 2022–23 March Budget measure titled Agriculture – continuing to deliver Agriculture 2030, including not proceeding with Round 2 of the Agricultural Shows Development Grant program.
- $2.8 million in 2022–23 for the partial reversal of the Agriculture Shows and Field Days program, including redirecting uncommitted funding from Round 2 of the program.
- $0.3 million in 2022–23 for the partial reversal of the 2019–20 Budget measure titled National Agricultural Workforce Strategy program.
A copy of the Treasurer’s speech is available here. A copy of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries budget overview infographic is available here, and sector overviews factsheets are available here. A copy of the FRDC budget recap is available here. A copy of the iSentia budget overview is available here.
A copy of press releases from Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt can be found here, Minister for Industry Ed Husic can be found here, and Minister for the Environment Tania Plibersek can be found here.
For more information on the 2022-23 Federal Budget, or specific points please www.budget.gov.au.
