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Diversification of Victoria's global trade relationships will be key to food and fibre sector in Gippsland

Diversification of Victoria's global trade relationships will be key to unlocking the true potential of our state's food and fibre sector.

By news@gippsland - 11th November 2021 - Back to News

This year, our farmers have been blessed with strong seasonal conditions that now see many looking forward to a bumper harvest. It's a year of great opportunity. At least it should be - if we play our cards right. Victoria's a global leader in agriculture with an enviable reputation for consistently producing high-quality, clean, green produce.

Action is needed in order to attract and retain necessary talent and investment to further grow Gippsland's food and fibre industry, it is a great opportunity to create a circular economy by proactively interconnecting production

Strengthen Victoria's economic standing

But disruptions in global market access - particularly from our largest export partner, China - continue to throw a spanner in the works for Victorian producers. China's long been our country's most important trade partner with sales worth $4.75 billion in 2019-20.

But the recent series of punitive tariffs and export hurdles have raised serious questions on the need to better protect our producers from global market disruptions. The Nationals have already recognised this with a pledge to strengthen Victoria's economic standing with diversification into new markets.

No silver bullet solution

If elected to government in 2022, we'll use Victoria's trade agency, Global Victoria, to tap into emerging economies throughout Southeast Asia, India and North Africa with initiatives that showcase the tremendous food and fibre our state has to offer.

There's no silver bullet solution, but loading all our eggs back into the same basket that got us into this mess will only serve to hold our agribusinesses back. Yet this is exactly what the Andrews Labor Government has done with last month's launch of 'Vic House', a new trade hub located in Shanghai.

Crucial to securing our state's place

It's perhaps no wonder when Daniel Andrews more than halved efforts to develop new strategies to maintain and grow export opportunities in this year's State Budget. It follows the Premier's disastrous decision to sign Victoria up to the Belt and Road Deal with China - against the advice of the Commonwealth Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Diversification of our global markets will be crucial to securing our state's place as a key player on the global stage. Proactively seeking new opportunities to grow our export potential will ensure Victoria's high-quality food and fibre make its way onto even more tables and homes around the world.

Pictures from Food and Fibre Gippsland Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  The Federal Government is backing local landholders and communities in East Gippsland to lead the way in bushfire recovery through a $1 million grant to support the regeneration of impacted plants and animals.
• South Gippsland Shire Council offices reopen from 13 September 2021
  Assistance offered for financial transactions and general queries.
• South Gippsland Shire Council has new community engagement platform
  Updates of the participation in all the engagement opportunities that interest you, including projects, plans and policies.
• East Gippsland Shire Council adopts Annual Budget 2021-22
  Community engagement process, including five community sessions, to help develop the document.
• East Gippsland Shire Council adopts Community Vision 2040
  Adopted community vision and council plan for 2021-25.
• South Gippsland Shire Council update late September 2021
  The final podcast is now available in South GIppsland.
• South Gippsland Shire Council meeting snapshot - 16 December 2021
  Summary of decisions made at the council meeting on 16 December 2021.
• South Gippsland Shire Council meeting snapshot - 25 November 2021
  Council meetings are streamed live to the public as a means of enhancing transparency and public decision making.
• Applications open for Gippsland Recycling centres grants up to $500,000 from Victorian government $40.9M Regional Recycling Fund
  Recycling centres across regional Victoria including in Gippsland can apply for grants of up to $500,000 for infrastructure upgrades as part of Round One of the $40.9 million Regional Recycling Fund.
• South Gippsland Shire Council update early October 2021
  Local residents are being encouraged to shop local as part of a new marketing campaign called 'Shop Local South Gippsland'.
• Not clear how Gippsland and Latrobe Valley hospitals performing during a pandemic after health services fail to finalise annual reports
  The community has no clear idea of how local regional hospitals are performing during a pandemic after nearly 60 country health services failed to finalise their annual reports.
• Further funding to assist Gippsland businesses and community recovery from drought, bushfires and the coronavirus through federal Rebuilding Regional Communities Program
  Local businesses and community groups can apply for funding to assist Gippsland as it recovers from the impacts of the coronavirus.
• Art arrives at Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale for Archibald Prize exhibition opening
  Archibald Prize at Gippsland Art Gallery starts on Friday 8 October to 21 November 2021.
• South Gippsland Shire Council update early September 2021
  The lead into the Council election has begun and there are a few things that the council wants to remind you of.
• Young people in East Gippsland wanted to apply for free leadership program - Youth Ambassador Program
  East Gippsland Shire Council is looking for people aged 12 to 25 to join the Youth Ambassador Program.
• South Gippsland Shire Council rates due 15 February 2022
  Rates are due in full by 15 February unless you have elected to pay by an instalment or payment plan.
• Thirty-five East Gippsland communities get strengthened disaster telecommunications
  Thirty-five East Gippsland communities will soon receive telecommunications systems to help ensure resilient communications are available during emergency events.
• Victorian and Gippsland farmers bumper harvest at risk as hard lockdowns make worsen labour shortages
  Victorian farmers' hopes of a record-breaking harvest are at risk while COVID restrictions continue to wreak havoc with availability of farm labourers.
• West and South Gippsland Shire Councils get $5.6M from federal Financial Assistance Grant program 2021-22 Q3 payment
  Local governments in Monash have received their third 2021-22 quarterly payment through the federal government's financial assistance Grant program.
• Monaro Highway in East Gippsland is rapidly deteriorating and requires urgent attention from Victoria's road management
  The Monaro Highway, a critical freight route in and out of East Gippsland, is the latest in the local roads network requiring urgent attention with local Nationals MP.
• Join South Gippsland Australia Day Short Film and Photography competition for 2022
  Short film and photography competition hosted by the council that will be shown in Leongatha cinema.
• West and central Gippsland gets $480M for 4G and 5G wireless upgrade from Morrison government in 2022-23 federal budget
  Electorate of Monash will have access to a significantly more capable NBN network following a $480 million investment by the Morrison Government in the 2022-23 Federal Budget.
• Latrobe City in Gippsland ready to host 2026 Commonwealth Games events and get economic and tourism boost
  Premier's announcing Latrobe City as host city to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
• Princes Highway through East Gippsland gets $3.6M upgrade to improve road safety and resilience
  A $3.6 million upgrade to one of the worst sections of the Princes Highway will improve safety and resilience of the key transport link, according to Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
• Federal budget to support Gippsland's recovery with a focus on infrastructure spending and cost of living relief for local families
  Darren Chester MP welcomes commitment to continue funding major infrastructure projects in Gippsland for local roads, bridges, community facilities and better telecommunication services
• Fit outs continue on Gippsland Performing Arts Centre with completion expected by end of 2021
  Works to complete the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre exterior and the interior fit out are continuing.
• Feedback wanted from Gippslanders on Connecting Victoria survey from state government
  One Gippsland has welcomed the Victorian Government's ground-breaking Connecting Victoria Engagement Report that outlines the digital connectivity issues in regional Victoria.
• Fit out underway for Gippsland Performing Arts Centre as part of $18.5 million upgrade
  Improving Gippsland Performing Arts Centre that is designed for better experience that can also serve as asset to the region.
• Regions like Gippsland out of lockdown but it's the lockdown they didn't need to have
  Truth about the COVID-19 information hidden to the Victorians.
• West and South Gippsland residents and business share in $300M in COVID-related payments
  COVID-19 Payments details that have been distributed across west and south Gippsland.
• Community survey for South Gippsland Shire open for residents to feedback likes, challenges and priorities
  South Gippsland Shire Council (Council) is undertaking research to help understand community needs.
• Bringing manufacturing home needed to solve growing shortages of essential chemicals and spare parts by Victorian farm businesses
  The global supply chain took a battering in the COVID pandemic and now conflict between Russia and the Ukraine is further shaking the foundations of Victoria's key import and export markets.
• Voting for South Gippsland Shire Council extended to 6pm 29 October 2021
  The close of voting for the South Gippsland Shire Council elections has been extended by one week to 6 pm Friday 29 October.
• Sell-out crowd at West Gippsland Art Centre celebrates International Women's Day in Baw Baw Shire
  A sell-out crowd descended on the West Gippsland Art Centre on Tuesday 8 March to celebrate International Women's Day 2022.
• New cancer treatment centre for West Gippsland Hospital coming as health group gets $4.5M funding from federal coalition government for build
  A new cancer treatment centre to be built at West Gippsland Health Group will change lives and improve regional health outcomes thanks to funding from the Federal Coalition Government.
• Regional kids including Gippsland still locked out of the classroom, but the Andrew's Labor state government won't tell us why
  Andrews Labor Government's decision to force students in regional communities into remote learning.
• Housing crisis grips Gippsland as rental availability drops to nearly 50%
  A review by One Gippsland has revealed a critical accommodation shortage across the region. The decrease in availavility has lead to massive increae in households seeking social housing assistance.
• Jobs boost to south and west Gippsland with 11 projects approved for funding from federal 'Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program'
  Funding for local roads projects that will support more jobs and help in the economic growth for the community.
• Regions in Victoria like Gippsland need a guaranteed positive way forward crippling 18 months of uncertainty and lockdown
  The time has come to guarantee a positive way forward for regional Victorian communities that have been crippled by 18 months of uncertainty and lockdown.
• Shooting clubs across Gippsland to benefit from Victorian government's 'Shooting Sports Facilities Program'
  Shooting clubs across Eastern Victoria are celebrating after securing funding to upgrade their facilities.
• Further support for Gippsland job seekers with the extension of employment facilitator services
  Funding to support and employ local job-seekers and facilitators.
• More cutting-edge equipment for Gippsland Tech School to deliver more innovative STEM learning programs
  The Gippsland Tech School will soon be more high-tech to support Victorian Tech Schools to buy new equipment and deliver more innovative STEM learning programs.
• Grants available for Gippsland organisations to build community bushfire and floods resilience
  Guidelines for the Federal Government's Preparing Australian Communities Program - Local have been released ahead of applications opening.
• Federal support for farmers in East Gippsland and Wellington through the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
  The Coalition Government is bolstering support for farmers in East Gippsland and Wellington through the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.
• Councils in West and South Gippsland will share in $2.1B Commonwealth Cash Boost for flooding and COVID-19 recovery
  Five councils in the Monash electorate will benefit from the Australian government's $2.1 billion pre-payment on next year's Financial Assistance Grant to all councils across Australia.
• South East Melbourne Phoenix migrates to Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium in Traralgon for 2022 NBL season
  South East Melbourne Phoenix takes a match against the Adelaide 36ers at the new-look stadium, million dollar upgraded Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium (GRISS).
• Run for South Gippsland Shire Council - Find out how to do it
  What you need to know and consider before you become an electoral candidate.
• Feedback wanted from Gippsland dairy farmers on Dairy Code of Conduct
  Local MP Darren Chester is encouraging Gippsland dairy farmers to have their say on the Dairy Code of Conduct.
• Brumby carcasses found by locals in East Gippsland bush requires explanation from Andrews Labor government about culling program
  Following reports of brumby carcasses being found in the East Gippsland bush, local Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has asked the Environment Minister to come clean on the details of the program.
• Russell Broadbent's Gippsland school leavers' guide for those graduating in 2021
  Assistance for graduates to have innovative solutions for their future.
• Street light project in South Gippsland Shire will save $9.4M in energy and capital costs when completed
  Street lighting project is nearing its completion, the remaining 270 inefficient streetlights in South Gippsland Shire will be replaced later this year.
• Restoring shellfish reef ecosystems in Gippsland Lakes will help protect environment and boost local jobs and tourism
  A new native shellfish reef will bring new life to the Gippsland Lakes as well as providing a boost of up to 25 local jobs and enhancing tourism and recreation.