ADPF welcomes the investments of the Federal Government’s 2022 Budget

The Australian Dairy Processors Federation welcomes the investments announced for agriculture and manufacturing in the Federal Government’s 2022 Budget.

The measures targeted towards exports and trade are particularly encouraging after the challenges of recent years, which include rising input costs, freight and logistics blockages, labour shortages and trade barriers.

The investments announced contain more than $750 million for the Commonwealth’s manufacturing strategy – including $500 million specifically for regional companies – which is vital as we know dairy processing activity is concentrated around dairy farming regions supporting more than 55% of direct employment.

Support for investment in regional manufacturing is of particular important to dairy processing, as we know the industry contributes more than 70,000 FTE jobs in Australia.

Also announced was $600 million for agriculture to help small- and medium-sized export businesses re-establish their presence in overseas markets, as we remind the globe our dairy exports are here; of world-class quality and readily available.

While ADPF welcomes the announcements, there is more than can be done to support the agricultural industry hamstrung by labour shortages.

Nearly one quarter of the dairy processing sectors workforce are categorised as being in the two highest skilled categories of jobs, and it is essential

It is crucial the Commonwealth now delivers on its promises and helps secure supply chains and regional jobs in dairy during a period of global uncertainty.

ADPF looks forward to continuing to work with the Commonwealth to advance the dairy processing industry on behalf of its members.