Recently re-elected federal Queensland LNP member for Maranoa David Littleproud has been appointed Minister for Water Resources in the new cabinet of Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced this week.
Mr Littleproud was Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources in the previous cabinet and will now take on responsibility for drought, rural finance and natural disaster and emergency management.
Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie, the Nationals’ Deputy Leader, has been given the Agriculture portfolio.
Peak representative body for Queensland horticulture Growcom has congratulated Mr Littleproud and Senator McKenzie on their appointments.
Growcom CEO David Thomson said the horticulture industry would “be delighted to welcome Senator McKenzie, who has a strong record of delivering for regional and rural communities, as the new Minister for Agriculture”.
“As Minister for Regional Services Senator McKenzie was exceptionally supportive of the Queensland strawberry industry in the wake of the 2018 strawberry tampering incident, providing vital funding for ongoing industry recovery,” Mr Thomson said.
“Growcom will continue to work together with Senator McKenzie for the growth and profitability of the $3 billion Queensland horticulture industry and are confident her experience will translate into positive decisions for the industry.
“Primary producers have high expectations of this government and we implore Senator McKenzie to work with her Cabinet colleagues to resolve our most pressing issues, such as securing water access for primary production, ensuring our industry has a skilled workforce to tap into, lowering energy prices, and expanding our market opportunities overseas.
“As the natural disaster capital of Australia, Queensland’s unpredictable weather and climatic conditions are factors that primary producers are well accustomed to but not necessarily always readily prepared for.
“More frequent extreme weather events pose increasing risk to the horticulture industry and Growcom looks forward to working with Minister Littleproud in his new portfolio to support activities that ensure the ongoing sustainability and profitability of horticultural businesses.
Mr Thomson said as the peak body for horticulture in Queensland, Growcom “looks forward to working with government and industry bodies alike to advance fruit, vegetable and nut production and ensure horticulture remains a cornerstone of our economy”.
