Federal election 2025: Australian Dairy Farmers policy platform

Getting young farmers into dairy is the aim of a five-pronged policy prospectus released by the peak farmer lobby.

A fledgling farmer fund and a technology grant scheme are being pitched to the powerbrokers by the Australian Dairy Farmers group as part of their 2025 election platform.

Recently released by the national body, the $399 million pre-election prospectus has been directed at Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and her opposition counterpart David Littleproud ahead of the May 3 nationwide poll.

ADF president Ben Bennett said one of the biggest ticket items in the five-pronged policy proposition was the Australian Dairy Farm Fund – $120m over three years to aid prospective primary producers into rural real estate.

“We’ve had thousands of farmers leaving dairy and nowhere near enough young farmers to take their place – this is a positive proposal to give them an opportunity to get into dairy,” the southwest Victorian farmer said.

Mr Bennett also called for a Dairy Industry Water Offset Program – worth $200m over three years – to aid with Murray-Darling Basin policy changes and pockets of drought experienced by farmers nationally.

The ADF has also proposed an ‘Australian Dairy Farm Efficiency Rebate’ — $50m over three years – to allow farmers to apply for a rebate of up to 70 per cent on energy efficient technology such as solar panels and power storage systems.

Both Ms Collins and Mr Littleproud are yet to make specific dairy pledges in response to the ADF proposal.

Australian Dairy Farmers have issued a policy platform to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of the May 3 election.

DAIRY’S CANBERRA CRUSADE

What the Australian Dairy Farmers organisation is asking from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on the campaign trail

Australian Dairy Farm Fund - $120m

Fund aimed at giving aspiring farmers a step into the dairy sector

Australian Dairy Farm Efficiency Rebate - $50m

A rebate of up to 70 per cent on energy-efficient technologies

Dairy Industry Water Offset Program - $200m

Investment in alternative water sources, infrastructure upgrades

Dairy Farm Digital Adoption Program - $15m

Small grant initiative to aid farmers with the purchase of new technology

Australian Dairy Farmers Industry Services- $14m

Funding to assist the ADF with its advocacy work

* all figures applicable over a three year, single federal parliamentary term