New Agriculture Commissioner for Farming and Agriculture
Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024
Legislative Council
Legislative Assembly
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC (ALP); The Hon Steve Whan MP (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Dugald Saunders NAT
“Opposition members will not oppose the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. It is worth noting that the previous Government introduced the Agriculture Commissioner role. We believe it is a critically important role in government, but I do not believe the role needs to be legislated. After being created by the former Coalition Government, the Agriculture Commissioner was efficient and independent.”
Edmond Atalla ALP
“I make a brief contribution in support of the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. Since coming to government, members on this side of the House have done everything we can to support our farmers.”
Helen Dalton IND
“I welcome the introduction of the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. It has been a long time coming; we have been calling for it for years. I also have some proposed amendments to the bill, which I will explain. As we all know, this bill is designed, amongst other things, to shape the role played by the Agriculture Commissioner.”
Clayton Barr ALP
“I contribute to debate on the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. I start by responding to the contribution by the member for Murray. I acknowledge that no member in the House knows more about agriculture and farming than the member for Murray. It is her life, and her family has made a living off the land.”
Kylie Wilkinson ALP
“I speak in support of the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. People may be surprised that the member for East Hills is speaking on an agriculture bill, but it was not that long ago that suburbs around metropolitan Sydney were also involved in agriculture. Indeed, as recently as a decade ago, 30 per cent of Asian greens came from the Sydney Basin.”
Sally Quinnell ALP
“I speak in support of the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. The member for East Hills noted that, until recently, we used to grow food in many parts of Sydney. I take this opportunity to encourage all Sydneysiders to attend the Camden Fresh Produce Market this weekend, where they can get Sydney-grown food, some of which is grown at the end of my very street.”
Liza Butler ALP
“I speak in support of the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. Today, as we have since coming into government, Labor is delivering on what we committed to do, in a way that is backed by stakeholder feedback and input from members of the agricultural sector.”
Nathan Hagarty ALP
“I participate in debate on the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024, which is important legislation that delivers on an election commitment made by the Minns Labor Government to establish an independent Agriculture Commissioner.”
Jenny Aitchison ALP
“I support the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. It demonstrates the Minns Labor Government’s support for regional communities and farmers because, after all, we are the party of the bush.”
Brendan Moylan NAT
“I contribute to debate on the Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024. I was in my office having a meeting when I saw the member for Maitland make a contribution. I have great respect for the member for Maitland. I admire her work ethic and the fact that, as a regional member, I can speak to her about her ministerial portfolio. I thank the member for that.”
Steve Whan ALP
“I listened carefully to some of the contributions earlier, particularly that of the member for Dubbo. I am intrigued by some of the comments the member made. Addressing the last comments raised by the member for Northern Tablelands, this is all about having an independent expert voice.”
News articles and press releases
Agriculture Commissioner Bill 2024
The Hon. TARA MORIARTY, Minister for Agriculture — 2024-09-17
The bill is made up of several parts that provide for the establishment of the Agriculture Commissioner, including the functions and powers of the commissioner, employment conditions, and other administrative provisions. The bill establishes the Agriculture Commissioner as a statutory role to be appointed by the Governor on recommendation of the Minister administering and responsible for the Act. The bill sets out the functions of the commissioner, which include undertaking reviews and providing advice and recommendations about issues relating to agriculture, land use, food security and agricultural productivity.