OCT 27 2015 Question to the Deputy Premier - Agricultural Employment

• published: 27 Oct 2015
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Ms JENNY AITCHISON: I direct my question to the Deputy Premier, and member for Dubbo. What specific measures is the Government implementing to address the fact that more than 17,000 fewer people are now employed in the agricultural sector compared with 2011? Mr TROY GRANT: I missed the last part of that question. Could I hear the question again, please? The SPEAKER: Order! I ask the member for Maitland to repeat the question. Members will come to order when a member is asking a question. Ms JENNY AITCHISON: I direct my question to the Deputy Premier, and member for Dubbo. What specific measures is the Government implementing to address the fact that more than 17,000 fewer people are now employed in the agricultural sector compared with 2011? The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier has the call. The House will come to order. Mr TROY GRANT: First, on the premise of the question, I would like to check the figures. I am not sure that the member's data is accurate, but I am happy to talk to the broader question. Across New South Wales, whether in agricultural employment or other economic indicators in the regions, for 16 years those opposite had their foot on the throat of this State's regional economy and they drove jobs down, down and down. Ms Jenny Aitchison: Point of order— The SPEAKER: Order! It is very early in the answer for the member for Maitland to be taking a point of order. The Deputy Premier will resume his seat. Ms Jenny Aitchison: My point of order relates to Standing Order 129, relevance. The question is about specific measures, not what has happened in the past. What is this Government doing and what specific measures is it taking? Does the Deputy Premier want me to repeat the question again? The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier does not want the member to repeat the question. The member will resume her seat. There is no point of order. The Deputy Premier has the call. Mr TROY GRANT: As I was saying, those opposite had their foot on the throat of this State's regional economy for 16 years and when we came to office we had to undertake a big repair job. When talking about jobs in the agriculture sector, educational opportunities are a key factor. Under the stewardship of those opposite, the Hawkesbury Agricultural College stopped offering agriculture as a course—zero courses. This Government has had to rebuild confidence in the regions and in the agricultural sector. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Maitland will come to order. Mr TROY GRANT: For the benefit of the member for Maitland, some specific measures that we have implemented since coming to office include the implementation of our industry action plan to help stimulate more activity, more jobs and more growth in the agriculture sector. The SPEAKER: Order! Government members will come to order. The Deputy Premier has the call and should be heard in silence. Mr TROY GRANT: The more growth in this sector, the better connectivity with our trading partners. The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events is doing a wonderful job. He is looking at export opportunities— Ms Jenny Aitchison: How does that work? Mr TROY GRANT: I note the interjection of the member for Maitland, "How does that work?" This is how it works. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Maitland will not argue with the Deputy Premier. The member for Lakemba will come to order. View the rest of the Deputy Premier's answer here: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/HansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA20151027025?open&refNavID;=HA8_1