14th June 2023 |
What’s in the Federal Budget for Agriculture, the Environment and on-ground action at a National level? The National Landcare Network have provided a snapshot of what was announced by the Federal Government last month:
- $20.0 million in 2023–24 to fund states and territories to deliver initiatives that contribute to priority actions of the National Soil Action Plan, tailored to regional soil needs and conditions.
- $1.0 billion over 4 years from 2023–24 to strengthen Australia’s biosecurity system. Funding includes: $40.6 million over 4 years from 2023–24 (and $12.0 million per year ongoing) to continue the Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program to reduce biosecurity risks in Northern Australia and provide social and economic benefits to First Nations, rural and remote communities.
- $38.3 million over 4 years from 2023–24 (and $7.6 million per year ongoing) to support agricultural statistics, climate analysis and upgrades to data and information systems for the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.
- $18.1 million over two years from 2023–24 to implement priority reforms to the operation of the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme as part of the Government’s initial response to the Independent Review of Australian Carbon Credit Units.
- $741.3 million over 5 years from 2023–24 from the Natural Heritage Trust special account to support local and long-term environmental and agricultural outcomes including:
- $341.2 million over 5 years from 2023–24 to protect nature, threatened species and habitats and to maintain delivery capability through activities like the BushBlitz, Natural Resource Management (NRM) partnerships and on-ground conservation and recovery activities
- $302.1 million over 5 years from 2023–24 to support a climate-smart, sustainable agricultural sector including funding for NRM organisations, on-ground projects, support for farmers to improve soil health and natural resources and funding to maintain delivery capability
- $214.1 million over 4 years from 2023–24 (and $4.5 million per year ongoing) to deliver the Nature Positive Plan including:
- $121.0 million over 4 years from 2023–24 to establish Environment Protection Australia to enforce environmental laws and restore confidence in Australia’s environmental protection system
- $51.5 million over 4 years from 2023–24 (and $4.5 million per year ongoing) to establish Environment Information Australia to provide an authoritative source of high-quality environmental information
- $34.0 million over two years from 2023–24 to implement the Nature Positive Plan, including legislative reforms and national environment standards
- $7.7 million in 2023–24 to continue developing the foundations of a Nature Repair Market, including detailed rules (methods) for different types of projects.
- The Government will also expand the eligibility criteria for existing on-ground support programs that build capacity and support participation in carbon and biodiversity markets to include all landholders and, by broadening access to these funds, to more organisations beyond Natural Resource Management groups, including First Nations groups.
- $118.5 million over 6 years from 2023-24 for the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program to fund projects to improve local waterways, fund activities that restore the natural habitats of aquatic species and create recreational spaces for local communities.
- $50.0 million over 5 years from 2023–24 to conserve and restore Ramsar-listed wetlands and catchments.
