Tasmania rightly prides itself on the quality of our food and wine.

If we are to maintain our reputation and grow our capacity to supply Australia and the world with fine food and wine, our producers need a reliable supply of irrigation water.

That’s why farmers and producers in the Jordan and Coal River Valley regions have been left scratching their heads after the Albanese Labor Government refused to commit funding towards the Greater South East Irrigation scheme in its most recent federal budget, effectively putting a halt on this vital scheme and delaying commencement of work for an unforeseen period.

I’ve heard firsthand from concerned farmers in the Coal River Valley about the need for greater water security in the region, which is grappling with low rainfall and increasingly drier conditions.

The expansion of our irrigation infrastructure relies on State and Federal Government funding, with scheme proposals progressing through a rigorous planning and design process before funding contributions are sought. The former Coalition Government invested $100 million to support the construction of irrigation projects around Tasmania, unlocking economic potential in our regions and supporting local farmers to grow even more world class Tasmanian produce.

The Greater South East Scheme is the first Tasmanian scheme that has had a funding request knocked back by the Australian Government.

This is despite Tasmanian Irrigation preparing a robust business case demonstrating the feasibility and immense benefits of the scheme, and securing funding commitments from the Tasmanian Government and local irrigators.

Concerningly, the Albanese Government has been unable to explain why this critical water project was refused funding. Labor MP for Lyons told The Mercury he was blindsided, despite the fact that his Tasmanian Labor colleague sits in Cabinet.

Worse, when I demanded that Government officials explain at Senate Estimates exactly why this project wasn’t funded, they claimed that they weren’t sure if the project fits with their “priorities”.

It should be well beyond doubt that the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme would be a gamechanger for the South East region, bolstering water security for key agricultural businesses including fruit and vegetable growers, livestock and vineyards.

The expanded scheme would have given local farmers and producers the confidence to invest more into their farms, expanding production and supporting more local jobs.

How have Mr Mitchell and Cabinet Minister Julie Collins managed to leave their Canberra colleagues with the impression that investing in irrigation infrastructure to create jobs and investment in Tasmania isn’t, to use the Government’s own words, “a priority?”

Minister Collins has since taken the reins as the Minister for Agriculture following the Albanese Government’s recent reshuffle. Worryingly, instead of championing the scheme and pursuing the investment in Tasmanian agriculture and horticulture, the Minister attempted to cast doubt on the strength of the business case prepared by Tasmanian Irrigation. This was despite the fact that there has been no suggestion that the business case doesn’t stack up – the government’s own officials have conceded this is purely a matter of the Albanese Government’s own priorities.

Previous Federal Governments of both political persuasions have backed in Tasmania’s agriculture potential by funding the business cases put forward for Tasmanian irrigation. It makes the Albanese Government’s decision to knock back the project all the more disappointing, when local farmers have been crying out for greater water security in the region.

It’s time for Tasmania’s Labor members to stop the games and stand up for the interests of our state.

The Albanese Government needs to provide Tasmanian farmers and producers with the certainty and the infrastructure that they need by committing to the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme.

*This opinion piece appeared in the Mercury newspaper on 28 August 2024.