THE Coalition government has today confirmed moves to relocate three Canberra-based rural research agencies to regional Australia.
Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce said relocating the agencies would deliver benefits through closer links with farmers and research experts in the regions.
Mr Joyce said he’d now accepted the proposals that will see the Grains Research and Development Corporation establish four offices outside Canberra at Dubbo, Toowoomba, Adelaide and Perth - with intent to move to Northam.
The Rural Industries RDC will relocate its core operations to Wagga Wagga in NSW and the Fisheries RDC will establish a regional office in Adelaide, to be used as a model for further offices.
“Decentralisation is not just an abstract idea but is a real priority for this government,” Mr Joyce said.
“Today’s announcement is tangible evidence of this election commitment being put into action.
“As well as being home to vibrant farming communities, these regions also have some of the best agricultural universities and research facilities in the country.
“It is logical that strong links should exist between the RDCs, universities and farmers on the ground in each industry.
“Being geographically closer to the industries they serve will strengthen their relationships and help the RDCs better understand their individual industry’s needs.”
M Joyce said another proposal to relocate the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to Armidale would go through the process of an independent cost-benefit risk analysis, which would then be looked at further by the government.
“Moving the APVMA would allow it to have a closer interaction with the people who actually use agricultural and veterinary chemicals, as well as build a centre of excellence in the research of agricultural issues,” he said.
“We need to continue to develop parts of our nation outside metropolitan areas and Armidale is a place that is already exceptional in its research, particularly in agriculture.
“We’re committed to revitalising rural Australia, and relocating government agencies to regional areas is part of that commitment to boost jobs growth and investment in these communities.”
South Australian Liberal Senator and Assistant Agriculture Minister Anne Ruston said the relocations were a positive move.
“Two RDCs will move to South Australia to increase their regional presence, which will boost jobs and growth in areas connected to rural and regional Australia,” she said.
“As well as being close to vibrant farming communities, Adelaide also has some of the best agricultural universities and research facilities in the country.
“It is a logical move, as these two RDCs are focused on rural research - including grains, fisheries and aquaculture - and strong links should exist with universities and farmers on the ground in these industries.”
Senator Ruston was forced to address questions on the RIRDC’s relocation during Senate Estimates hearings yesterday in Canberra.
Labor Senator Doug Cameron said the relocation policy was a “a peccadillo” of Minister Joyce to support an ideological policy that was in effect cutting R&D funding
“I thought you were supposed to be the innovation government but you’re taking money off R&D to pork barrel in regional areas,” he said.
But Senator Ruston defended the government’s policy saying it was wrong to suggest no benefits would come from the relocations and that supporting rural and regional Australia was a benefit of moving the agencies from Canberra.
She said Senator Cameron was making a “strange rhetorical argument” as there were longer term benefits to the short term expenditure of the relocation costs.
“To suggest money to support regional communities is pork barrelling is rather an unfortunate thing; maybe you should suggest Senator Cameron stick to the facts,” Senator Ruston told the Committee Chair.
RIRDC Managing Director Craig Burns told the estimates hearing his Board had received letter from the Minister indicating support for relocation the RIRDC’s functions to Wagga and they would now work out how to proceed with the move.
Mr Burns said the original request was for the RIRDC to consider relocating to Albury but the “game has shifted a bit”.
He said the Board replied to the Minister in July last year saying they did not see a business case for moving at all from Canberra - but if they had to move there was a stronger case for moving its functions to Wagga.
Mr Burns said the RIRDC dealt with 30-different industries – like truffle production in Margaret River in WA - and crossed over into different issues, so finding an ideal location was difficult.
But he said the RIRDC – which is also in the process of seeking a replacement Managing Director – was now looking to ensure any impacts of the relocation were minimised.
Mr Burns said the cost of moving to Wagga was about $1.4m based on moving two thirds of its staff of about 19 and he understood no new funds would be provided by the government to pay for costs of moving.
“If we’re not given new funds to fund that there’s the only way we can fund it is to reduce the R&D spend for a period,” he said.
Last year, the RIRDC relocation was estimated at $2.5m with the FRDC $4m and over $31m for the GRDC including an estimated payout of $12.25 for breaking a new 10-year lease on its Canberra location.