On 14 May,
1985, Prime Minister Bob Hawke officially opened the National Farmers’
Federation House, in Canberra.
In his address,
Prime Minister Hawke commended the NFF’s ‘permanent and prominent focus to the
farmers’ voice’. It is a pursuit the NFF remains committed to do today.
However,
Prime Minister Hawke’s legacy for agriculture goes far beyond bricks and mortar,
says NFF CEO Tony Mahar.
“In many
ways the reforms and policies introduced during Mr Hawke’s tenure as Prime Minister
shaped the farm sector we know today.
“His
Government’s changes to the tax system, liberalisation of agricultural trade,
and establishment of the agricultural research and development corporations set
the foundations for Australian agriculture’s excellence on the world stage, an
excellence that continues to this day.
“These were visionary and key reforms that the NFF championed during this era.”
Mr Mahar
said perhaps one of the Hawke Government’s greatest legacies was the
establishment of Landcare in 1989.
“Then NFF
CEO, Rick Farley and Phillip Toyne of the Australian Conservation Foundation
formed a historic alliance and jointly advocated to usher in the ‘decade of
Landcare’ and more importantly, brought the importance of environmental
sustainability and natural resource management aligned with productive
agriculture in national co-operation.
“Landcare
brought together both farmers and the environmental movement, an often
understated achievement in political history, particularly in that era.”
This year
celebrates the 30th anniversary of Landcare nationally. Today, it is
more than an environmental program, it is a grassroots movement and a source of
national pride exemplifying what can be achieved through consensus and
goodwill. The fact that it is thriving 30 years on is a testament and remains one
of the NFF’s fondest achievements.
This July will mark three decades since Bob Hawke stood on the banks of the Murray to announce the formation of @AusLandcare. It was the same year he established our world class @ruralrdcs. Just two of the enduring legacies he leaves #AusAg. Vale Bob Hawke.
📷 @naagovau pic.twitter.com/CEhEdmXBoS
— National Farmers Fed (@NationalFarmers) May 17, 2019
Mr Hawke’s
‘Wentworth address’ to launch Landcare, delivered on the banks of the Murray
River encapsulates the NFF’s attitude towards policy and advocacy today:
“Solutions… are to be found through co-operation at all levels of government and by community groups who care for the land.
“With the right mix of political commitment and community support we can ensure that our country is simply the best in the world.”
“This year
marks the 40th anniversary of the NFF and today presents a timely
opportunity to remember past visionary leaders and governments that have worked
to see agriculture flourish. Former Prime Minister Hawke is a giant amongst such
figures,” Mr Mahar said.
At the NFF we also see a daily reminder of Mr Hawke’s partnership with #AusAg: the plaque commemorating his opening of NFF House in 1985. You can read his comments from that day here: https://t.co/BrZXM8bFve pic.twitter.com/IjbYvZAs9Y
— National Farmers Fed (@NationalFarmers) May 17, 2019
A plague recognising Mr Hawke’s opening of NFF House remains proudly on display at the Federation’s inner Canberra headquarters, serving as tribute to the leader’s lasting advancements for our industry and the people and communities behind it.
Vale Bob
Hawke.
