Latest News

Media Release: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of South Pacific regional fisheries​

Australia is hosting around 150 international delegates for the fifth Commission Meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO), which continues today in Adelaide.

Read more

News Article: Foreign workers continue to seek seasonal Riverland work despite uncertainty around backpacker tax

As published by Erin Jones in The Advertiser on January 6, 2017:

Foreign workers are continuing to travel to the Riverland to help with seasonal harvests despite last minute uncertainty around the backpacker tax.

Read more

Media Release: Strong performance in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors

The gross value of Australia’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors rose 12 per cent to $2.8 billion in 2014-15, thanks largely to increasing demand for rock lobsters and salmon species, according to the Australian fisheries and aquaculture statistics 2015 report by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

Read more

Media Release: $12 million for project to secure Flows for the Future of the River Murray​

The Coalition Government is delivering $12 million in funding for a project to restore natural flow patterns in key South Australian branches of the River Murray, to support strong and sustainable agriculture and tourism industries in South Australia, and protect the river’s biodiversity and ecosystems.

Read more

Media Release: Backing Australia's wine industry

The Turnbull Government today announced enhancements to the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) Rebate to better assist grape growing, winemaking and associated tourism in regional Australia.

Read more

Premier runs risk of backing SA into a corner

My Op Ed as published in The Advertiser:

Premier Jay Weatherill faces a stark choice on the Murray Darling Basin Plan: blow it up or sit down at the table and help make it work.

Read more

Illegal foreign fishers convicted

Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing will not be tolerated in Australian waters, as demonstrated by the recent conviction of 26 Vietnamese foreign fishermen who were found illegally fishing in Australian waters last month.

Read more

Statement on reappointment as Assistant Minister for Agriculture

I’m honoured to have the opportunity to continue as Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, and to build on the important work of our last term.

Read more

Coalition to strengthen recreational fishers' voice

 The Coalition is applauding Labor’s announcement of 2 June 2016 that it is committed to stopping super trawlers from entering Australian waters. 

In April 2015 the Coalition banned all super trawlers (boats over 130 metres) from entering Australian waters.

Read more

FIAC Report transforming Australia's forest products industry

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, welcomed today’s release of a Forest Industry Advisory Council (FIAC) paper that maps out priorities and goals for the future of the Australian forest industry.

Read more