Advocacy

Citrus Australia is strengthening its member advocacy, with a fresh focus on agri-political matters affecting the citrus industry, and the appointment of a Policy and Membership Officer to ensure members’ voices are heard during critical periods of change.

Taking a membership with Citrus Australia provides additional funds to invest in our team and programs, including government liaison and advocacy, which has become more critical as we provide grower representation in the areas of labour, water, biosecurity, market access, agrichemicals, infrastructure, energy, research and development.

Citrus Australia regularly contributes to government inquiries into matters that will impact growers, and seeks member consultation on these issues.  You can view our submissions here.

In 2020, Citrus Australia met with Ministers and Members of Parliament on a variety of issues including:

• The Hon Adam Marshall MP, NSW Minister for Agriculture, about reopening the border for seasonal workers between New South Wales and Victoria.
• The Hon David Littleproud MP, Minister for Agriculture, regarding international border closures, and the extension of the SWP and WHM visas for those already in country.
• Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, regarding support for an automatic 4-star health rating in recognition of the nutritional benefits of fresh juice.
• The Hon Alan Tudge, Acting Minister for Immigration, the Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, and the Hon Alex Hawke, Minister for the Pacific, to discuss the future needs of the Seasonal Worker Programme and provide feedback on its management.
• The Hon Alannah MacTiernan, WA Minister for Agriculture and Food, to lobby for WA to opt in to the SWP restart.
• The Hon Jaclyn Symes MLC, VIC Minister for Agriculture, regarding support for an automatic 4-star health star rating for fresh orange juice, and the restart of the SWP in Victoria.
• Mr Colin Boyce MP, Member for Callide, to discuss the impact on growers from the reduction of Paradise Dam in the Burnett region.

In 2019, Citrus Australia met with several federal and state MPs in citrus growing regions, along with:

• The Hon Greg Hunt, Federal Minister for Health, the Hon Michael McCormack, Leader of the Federal National Party, and the Hon David Littleproud, Federal Minister for Agriculture, asking for their direct intervention of the Health Star Rating system reducing juice from 5 stars to 2.5, the same as diet Coke
• The Hon Bridget McKenzie, Federal Minister for Agriculture, regarding the need to reduce the proposed rise in export cost recovery fees
• The Hon David Littleproud, Federal Minister for Water, regarding the issues of water market transparency, availability, deliverability and how to reduce the impact on growers in the southern Murray Darling Basin
• The office of the Hon Mark Furner, Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development, to discuss biosecurity, registration of nurseries to enable traceability of budwood, a proactive approach to refining Australia’s emergency plant pest response, and opportunities for trade
• The Hon Martin Pakula, Victorian Minister for Trade, to discuss government support for future trade missions
• The Hon Tim Whetstone, South Australian Minister for Primary Industries, to discuss biosecurity, exports and research and development opportunities
• The office of the Hon Alannah MacTiernan, Western Australian Minister for Agriculture and Food, regarding management of the Citrus canker incursion, and diversifying markets
• The office of Hon Dave Kelly, Western Australian Minister for Water, to discuss water availability and efficiency, infrastructure, metering, and new rootstock varieties
• The office of the Hon Mark McGowan, Western Australia Minister for Jobs and Trade, to discuss the impact of export cost recovery fees, port infrastructure, supply chains in biosecurity, and new trade opportunities