National Farmers Federation welcomes Coalition’s farm safety funding commitment

The National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the Coalition’s commitment of $10 million to improve farm safety outcomes, if elected, which the NFF anticipates will include an allocation to continue the life-saving work of Farmsafe Australia.

“Our people are agriculture’s most important asset. Part of the plan for agriculture to be a $100 billion industry by 2030 includes a target for zero farm fatalities by the same year,” NFF CEO Tony Mahar said.

“Farmsafe Australia, of which NFF is the secretariat, has been leading transformational work to achieve better farm safety outcomes.

“Farmsafe’s most recent work was made possible by a $1.9 million Federal Government grant in 2019. Since then there has been a 21% decrease in farm accident fatalities.

“The Coalition’s commitment this week could supercharge Farmsafe’s capacity to improve farm safety awareness and culture change across the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors.

“We also welcome the Coalition’s funding commitment for new activities to continue the implementation of the National Farm Safety Education Fund Strategy.”

Farmsafe’s Safer Farms 2020 report revealed agriculture was ranked as the second most dangerous industry to work in by rate of fatalities, with those over the age of 50 most at risk from farm-related injuries or death.

The Coalition’s pledge delivers on NFF’s Time to Thrive election platform to provide additional funding to implement the National Farm Safety Education Fund Strategy and to support the work of Farmsafe Australia.

“We call on Labor to demonstrate a similar commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our farmers and farm workers,” Mr Mahar said.

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