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Budget 2023-24
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FUNDING INNOVATION TO SUPPORT TASMANIA’S PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

JO PALMER MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Water

The Rockliff Liberal Government is further strengthening our economy to ensure continuing jobs growth by investing in competitiveness and innovation across our high-value agriculture and seafood sectors.

The 2023-24 Tasmanian Budget builds on the success of the $6 million already invested through the Agriculture Innovation Fund and the Agriculture Development Fund by investing an additional $2 million over two years into the innovation fund.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Jo Palmer said investment in these industry-backed projects is a significant boost for the State’s agricultural research, development and extension capability, which is central to the Government’s target to deliver the productivity gains needed to sustainably grow the value of Tasmanian agriculture to $10 billion by 2050.

This Budget ensures targeted investment to build Tasmania’s future, including through an additional $2 million over two years to the Abalone Industry Reinvestment Fund.

“This funding will continue initiatives to enhance abalone stocks, particularly in Eastern Tasmania,” Minister Palmer said.

“It will also expand control of the invasive long-spined urchin to enable recovery of East Coast fisheries and habitats to support valuable commercial, recreational, and Aboriginal fisheries.”

The 2023-24 Tasmanian Budget also includes an additional $600,000 over two years to fund a business case and a detailed concept plan to modernise the Water Information Management System and will inform the next stage for development of this project.

“The Information System supports our management of water security for commercial and recreational users, as well as the environment, through water use monitoring, licensing and permitting, water accounting and water markets,” Minister Palmer said.

The Rockliff Liberal Government is targeting every dollar of this Budget to getting things done and building a strong economy and a safe, caring community.

The Budget includes an additional $1 million for the Fisheries Digital Transition Project, which will continue to reduce red-tape by supporting Tasmanian commercial wild-capture fisheries move to digital platforms, with reporting apps and licensing technology to expand to include recreational fisheries and aquaculture.

This carefully considered Budget is preparing Tasmania for the future, with funding extended for the following programs:

  • $1.4 million over two years to support the continuation of the Weed Action Fund. The Fund tackles serious weeds that impact valuable agricultural land and the natural environment;
  • $500,000 over two years for continued support of the Wild Fisheries Action Plan;
  • $375,000 over three years for the continuation of important roles to support emerging marine industries;
  • $350,000 over two years for the implementation of the 10-year Recreational Sea Fishing Strategy;
  • $200,000 over two years for the extension of the rock lobster translocation program on the east coast; and

$275,000 over two years for the Aboriginal cultural fisheries.