THE State and Federal Agriculture Ministers committed themselves to red tape reduction and getting more value for producers' money on a research and development level at the annual PGA conference last Friday.
Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke and WA Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman took the opportunity to showcase their plans for agriculture's future at the conference, held at Fraser's Restaurant function centre in King's Park.
You wouldn't have known that the two ministers were from opposing political parties, with both placing emphasis on streamlining and increasing production in their addresses to conference attendees.
After an introduction by PGA president Rob Gillam, Mr Burke stepped up to the podium and started his address by reiterating his pro-live export stance and highlighting the achievements of the Federal government in agriculture so far.
He also threw his support behind Mr Redman's decision to allow genetically modified canola to be grown in WA and was proud of being a part of the wheat deregulation process.
In a conference program dominated by climate change 'sceptics', Mr Burke's discussion about the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) showed a very different point of view to the afternoon's theme.
He said the research money going into agriculture's role in climate change was qualified so that a reduction in emissions must also bring an improvement in productivity.
"I don't think we've done a very good job of explaining to you the economics on your own properties of the CPRS in its final form," Mr Burke said.
"But imagine if what you hear this afternoon turns out to be right, and we've done all this research into climate change and all we end up with is an improvement in productivity - I don't think too much harm was done."
To further increase productivity for farmers, Mr Burke's established a Productivity Commission last year aims to make sure R&D funds were being spent the most efficient way and to make producer's more money.
He believes that some industries' levy money could be put to better use in some cases.
"I have a strong view that the people who benefit more from R&D should contribute more than the ordinary taxpayer," he said.
"The model itself where the different organisations provide some direction for R&D is good, but I'm deeply frustrated at some of the things where we can achieve better efficiency, but it doesn't happen, that's why the PC review went ahead."
Mr Burke said he was interested in getting rid of some of the inefficiencies, not unwinding the model itself.
"Some people in those situations being paid more than the Prime Minister is just silly; I don't like when people get paid that much on the back of taxpayers' money."
When Mr Redman took the stand at the conference, he also spent a lot of his time discussing research and development, in particular explaining his decision to redevelop the Agriculture and Food Department.
Mr Redman said up until now, DAFWA funds had been spread over a lot of measures and could be more strategic in how funds are used.
"We want to pick projects that make the most difference to the farmer," he said.
"I believe we've got to change with the times, I see farmers as the catalyst for the change."
Mr Redman said the shift to an 'economic development agency' would streamline research and ensure WA is at the forefront of industry leading technology.
"DAFWA is full of knowledgeable, experienced and passionate people, and what we want to do is focus these people on modern projects that make a difference," he said.
"We're doing things in a way the department has never done before, making sure we're smarter in which ways we source funds and access research."
Part of the department's new direction is to cultivate more partnerships with the private sector R&D, which will increase efficiency and avoid double-ups on research.
"We want WA to invest in research that we're leaders in, and not dovetailing to issues that other states are investigating," he said.
A notable no-show at the conference was Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls, whose involvement in the pastoral rents issue would've been a hot topic at the conference.
* For full coverage of the PGA conference, see this week's edition of Farm Weekly
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