Department of Agriculture (Australia, 2019–20)
Short-lived agency of the Australian government From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Short-lived agency of the Australian government From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Australian Department of Agriculture was an Australian Government department in existence between May 2019 and February 2020, which was responsible for developing and implementing policies and programmes that contribute to strengthening Australia's primary industries, delivering better returns for primary producers at the farm gate, protecting Australia from animal and plant pests and diseases, and improving the health of Australia's rivers and freshwater ecosystems.
| |
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 29 May 2019[1] |
| Preceding Department | |
| Dissolved | 1 February 2020[2] |
| Superseding Department | |
| Jurisdiction | Australia |
| Ministers responsible |
|
| Department executive |
|
| Child agencies |
|
| Website | Official website |
Following the appointment of the Second Morrison Ministry in May 2019, Scott Morrison announced David Littleproud's previous ministerial positions were separated, with Bridget McKenzie as Minister for Agriculture and Littleproud as Minister for Water Resources.
The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Daryl Quinlivan, was responsible to the Minister for Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie and Minister for Water Resources, the Hon David Littleproud MP. The Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources is Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck since August 2018. The Assistant Minister to the former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is the Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP.[3]
By an administrative order issued on 5 December 2019 and effective from 1 February 2020,[2] the department all functions of the department were merged with the environment functions of the Department of the Environment and Energy, to form the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Secretary Daryl Quinlivan was sacked as a result of the merger.[4]
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' vision was to help drive a stronger Australian economy by building a more profitable, more resilient and more sustainable agriculture sector, and by supporting the sustainable and productive management and use of rivers and water resources.
The department's annual reports provided information about its operations and performances in each financial year, and reviews its progress towards its objectives.
The department's Corporate Plan set outs the department's eight strategic objectives. Those identified in the 2016–17 plan included:[5]
The department strove to build strong relationships and work with governments, industry, importers and exporters, natural resource managers, primary producers, consumers, research and development organisations, rural communities and travellers.
The department employed approximately 4000 full-time equivalent staff, including accountants, animal and meat inspectors, biosecurity officers, economists, information and communication technology (ICT) staff, policy officers, program administrators, researchers, scientists, survey staff and veterinary officers.[citation needed]
The corporate structure was organised into divisions to support work across a broad range of agricultural, biosecurity, fisheries and forestry and water management activities.[6]
The department was located in regional centres, rural communities and cities throughout Australia.[7] Around 58 per cent of its Australian-based employees worked outside Canberra, in capital cities and regional offices, major airports, mail centres, shipping ports, laboratories and abattoirs.
Globally, the department operated in Bangkok, Beijing, Brussels, Dubai, Jakarta, New Delhi, Rome, Seoul, Tokyo and Washington,[citation needed] to maintain relationships with Australia's trading partners and international organisations.
The department was formed by way of an administrative order issued on 29 May 2019,[1] replacing the previous Department of Agriculture & Water Resources, following the re-election of Scott Morrison as Prime Minister of Australia.
The department provided specialised policy advice to the Australian Government and delivers a range of policies and programs to:
The department took a risk-based approach to safeguarding Australia against animal and plant pests and diseases and helps importers and exporters to meet regulatory requirements by:
The department managed, coordinated and prepared for response actions to national priority pests, diseases and weeds,[16] including:
The department’s work was grounded in research and science, providing information and analysis on agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries,[17] including:
The department collected and audited primary industry levies for marketing, research and development, animal and plant health, residue testing and emergency response.[18]
The department worked in partnership and collaboration with its clients, stakeholders, governments and the community by engaging with those who had a vested interest in the way it dud business. This engagement consisted of:
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