Australia State Budget Tender

McGowan Governments 2019-20 Budget to include 131.5 million of additional expenditure in the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development DPIRDFunding ensures DPIRD continues its critical role in supporting primary producers and rebuilding scientific capabilityCommitment fixes the Budget black hole in agriculture left by the previous government The McGowan Government is securing the future of the States agricultural efforts with the 2019-20 Budget to include 131.5 million of additional expenditure in the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.Under the previous Liberal National Government core funding for the then-Department of Agriculture and Food WA was cut significantly with a further 37 per cent decrease in expenditure built in to the forward estimates.This resulted in a significant loss of agricultural capability and a Budget black hole threatening to further erode the departments ability to deliver for the States agriculture sector.DPIRD has completed a capability review to determine the functions structure resourcing and strategic priorities required to deliver the Governments priorities in primary industries and regional development.This expenditure secured in the 2019-20 Budget will allow DPIRD to fulfil its critical role in supporting WAs primary industries and regional communities while also ensuring the department is able to rebuild capacity and capability.The increased investment provides a long-term sustainable funding base for core functions. In addition long-term funding has been secured for critical programs that were previously funded on a short-term basis including Boosting Biosecurity Defences Asian Market Success and Boosting Grains Research and Development.The expenditure also includes 3.3 million for critical upgrades to laboratories at DPIRDs South Perth facility to ensure important agricultural scientific work can continue at the site.