Industry responds to appointment of new Agriculture Minister Julie Collins

Tasmanian MP Julie Collins has been named the new Federal Agriculture Minister in a cabinet reshuffle announced this week.

Ms Collins takes over the role from Queensland Senator Murray Watt, who stepped into the Ministry of Employment and Workplace Relations, in the cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

"This is a portfolio that she held in Opposition, has experience for it. Tasmania is of course, a great centre of agriculture, is one of the drivers of the Tasmanian economy, and Julie will bring a that experience to the portfolio," Mr Albanese said.

The former Housing Minister will also retain her role as Minister for Small Business.

Ms Collins will be supported in the position by Queensland Senator Anthony Chisholm as Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - a position usually only utilised by the Coalition.

Who is Julie Collins?

Minister Collins was elected as the first female representative for Franklin in 2007.

According to her website, she entered politics because she deeply believed quality education, decent health services and fairness in the workplace should be available to everyone.

Minster Collins has held numerous portfolios in both Government and Opposition, including Shadow Agriculture Minister in the lead-up to the 2022 federal election before being handed the housing and small business portfolios.

She lives on Hobart’s Eastern Shore with her husband Ian and has three children.

How industry responded

NFF President David Jochinke said he hoped Minister Collins would be a champion for sensible policies to support and grow the farm sector.

He also reflected on Minister Watt's time in the role.

“Minister Watt’s time will most likely be remembered for its heated conflicts with the sector – from live sheep, to water buybacks, to the biosecurity tax proposal and visa disputes," Mr Jochinke said.

"But we also acknowledge his partnership and willingness to work with the sector on sustainability, establishing the workplace tripartite working group, and delivery of enhanced funding for biosecurity.

"His commitment to normalising our trade with China and ensuring Australian agriculture didn’t end up with a bad deal in the EU free trade agreement will also be remembered well. 

“With Minister Watt now leading the Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio, we hope his knowledge of producers’ concerns surrounding the recent industrial relations changes means their concerns are addressed.” 

The Australian Meat Industry Council congratulated Minister Collins on her appointment as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry and said it looked forward to maintaining the constructive relationship established with Minister Watt.

Grain Producers Australia Chair Barry Large said the new combination of Agriculture and Small Business for Minister Collins makes sense, recognising that because farmers are also running businesses of different sizes and locations that face many challenges not limited to constants seasonal and market fluctuations.

"Having the right support measures in place will ensure our farmers can continue producing food and fibre for Australians and other parts of the world that we export to with our high-quality products," he said.

The Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) said the appointment gave the incoming minister chance to take fresh eyes to the agriculture portfolio and reset the relationship with the sector.

However, ALEC Chief Executive Officer Mark Harvey-Sutton said WA farmers could expect more of the same unless the new minister came to the table with an "open mind" on the issue of the live export of sheep. 

"While we are hopeful they will surprise us with their support for the sector, we are skeptical that anything will change and we will continue to have a government that, from the top down, is actively working against us," Mr Harvey Sutton said.

“The last Minister’s shameful ban of live WA sheep exports will leave a difficult legacy for the new Minister, as the entire agriculture sector is united in fighting against this unjust ban.

“While Minister Watt packs up his desk and moves over to his new office ready for a fresh start, he leaves WA farmers packing up their businesses with no such opportunity."

Minister Collins has yet to announce her first appearance at an industry event as Agriculture Minister, although it's being speculated she may attend LambEx in Adelaide in next week.

APlus News contacted Ms Collins' office for confirmation about LambEx, but her spokesperson had not been back in contact - to confirm nor deny her attendance plans - at the time of publication.