The New Australian Government's Primary Industries Policies: Some Implications and Opportunities

After more than a decade in opposition, the win by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) at the 2007 Federal Election focuses attention on their pre-election policies. The paper summarises ALP pre-election policies for primary industries, including the resources and seafood sectors; indicates program and policy funding where it is clearly indicated in the policy papers, and commences an interpretation of the implications and opportunities that may develop as the new government proceeds to discuss its policies and their implementation. A major shift in the context for all primary industries policies to 'climate change', irrespective of whether the component policies appear to be little changed is articulated. The detail of climate change policy awaits the Climate Change Review by Professor Ross Garnaut in mid-2008. The immediate implications and opportunities for all specific policies is that they need to be viewed through the new and overarching lens of 'adapting to climate change'.