Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces $6 million investment for Beef Australia 2024

Beef Australia 2024 will receive a $6 million investment from the Federal Government, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison making the announcement in Rockhampton.

The beef industry’s signature event, Beef Australia 2024, will receive a $6 million investment from the Federal Government, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison making the announcement at Rockhampton Showgrounds on Wednesday.

The investment for the popular Central Queensland event will be supported through the 2022-23 federal budget.

In January, opposition leader Anthony Albanese announced he would commit $6 million for Beef Australia 2024 if Labor were to win this year’s Federal Election.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the reason he made the announcement on Wednesday and not sooner was because the budget was being delivered next week.

“We are making our announcements in relation to the budget,” Mr Morrison said.

“This is something we have always supported, we are passionate supporters of Beef 2024.

“This isn’t a promise, this is in the books.”

Last year saw more than 115,000 people through the gates, a record breaking number for the event which generates more than $90 million in economic activity for the greater Rockhampton region and a further almost $60 million for Queensland.

Australia is one of the world’s biggest exporters of beef, with the industry worth $15 billion.

Mr Morrison said the Federal Government’s investment in Beef Australia 2024 was about supporting an “amazing event” in Central Queensland.

“Last time I was standing right here with Bryce (Camm) and others and this entire showground was just brimming,” he said.

“What I really loved about it, apart from the massive economic benefits for Rockhampton, is that Beef 2024 will once again showcase the world class beef producers of Australia and just how important our primary producing industry is to our country economically.

“A strong economy means a stronger future.

“The other thing I love is it brings the whole sector together, to learn from each other and to see the advances in technology in particular.

“Beef 2024 is a fantastic event. Come and celebrate what our beef producers do for our country.”

Beef Australia chairman Bryce Camm said the Federal Government’s commitment of $6 million to plan for Beef Australia 2024 spoke to the “strength and commitment” to the event.

“It’s now 774 days away until we will open the gates, not just to a record breaking crowd again, but particularly our international visitors that we will be so keen to welcome back to Central Queensland and to celebrate a great Australian product and great Australian way of life,” Mr Camm said.

“We welcome you all in 2024 in the first week of May.”

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the government was setting the event up to succeed into the future, in recognition of the role it played in boosting the beef industry.

“Australia has some of the best beef on the planet and this event provides a platform from which local producers can show off to the world,” Mr Joyce said.

“Bringing local producers together with international industry leaders helps facilitate new trade and export opportunities, which drives the industry’s growth and generates more wealth for our nation.

“The more cattle we sell to the world, the more money we earn to make Australia as strong as possible as quickly as possible. That’s why we’re investing in a bigger and better Beef 2024.”

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the government was continuing to support an event that delivered significant economic benefits for Central Queensland.

“This is due to the strong and passionate advocacy of Michelle Landry and her determination to support Rockhampton and one of Australia’s great agriculture industries,” Mr Littleproud said.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the government had a strong track record of backing the event.

“The Coalition Government contributed $3.9 million towards Beef 2021, $3 million in 2018 and $2.75 million in 2015, as we understand how important this event is for the region,” Ms Landry said.

“Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Beef 2021 was more successful than ever before, supporting 795 full-time equivalent jobs in Rockhampton.

“I had the Prime Minister and Barnaby up here last year and they absolutely loved it. I had to drag them both out they had so much fun.

“This is a fantastic way to showcase the beef in Australia.

“I look forward to attending Beef 2024 and seeing the amazing entertainment and events on offer.”