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.
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 . 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.
By an administrative order issued on 5 December 2019 and effective from 1 February 2020, 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.
Contents
Overview
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:
building successful primary industries
supporting agricultural communities
expanding agricultural, fisheries and forestry exports
sustaining natural resources for longer-term productive primary industries
improving water use efficiency and the health of rivers, communities, environmental assets and production systems
managing biosecurity and imported food risk
building an efficient and capable department
being a best practice regulator.
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.
History
The department was formed by way of an administrative order issued on 29 May 2019, replacing the previous Department of Agriculture & Water Resources, following the re-election of Scott Morrison as Prime Minister of Australia.
Preceding departments
Department of Markets and Migration (16 January 1925 – 19 January 1928)
Department of Markets (19 January 1928 – 10 December 1928)
Department of Markets and Transport (10 December 1928 – 21 April 1930)
Department of Markets (21 April 1930 – 13 April 1932)
Department of Commerce (13 April 1932 – 22 December 1942)
Department of Commerce and Agriculture (22 December 1942 – 11 January 1956)
Department of Primary Industry (11 January 1956 – 2 June 1974)
Department of Agriculture (12 June 1974 – 22 December 1975)
Department of Primary Industry (22 December 1975 – 24 July 1987)
Department of Primary Industries and Energy (24 July 1987 – 21 October 1998)
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (21 October 1998 – 18 September 2013)
Department of Agriculture (18 September 2013 – 21 September 2015)
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (21 September 2015 – 29 May 2019)
Operational activities
The department provided specialised policy advice to the Australian Government and delivers a range of policies and programs to:
provide evidence-based support for government and industry decision-making
help primary producers to gain and maintain access to overseas markets, including administration of export quotas
support primary producers and rural communities to be productive and sustainable through grants and other funding support, including drought assistance for farm families and businesses
manage Commonwealth fisheries in consultation and develop national approaches to sustainable management of the fishing industry
represent Australia’s interests overseas to promote responsible fishing practices and to combat illegal fishing.
foster and enable productive, profitable, internationally competitive and sustainable Australian forest and forest products industries
help primary industries and producers to adapt and respond to climate change
achieve social, economic and environmental benefits through water policy and resource management.
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:
assessing and inspecting imported animal and plant products and machinery for diseases, pests and weeds