Labor ministry: Murray Watt and Tanya Plibersek take on key roles

Queensland Senator Murray Watt talks up his family ties to farming as he reveals his first priorities in the new role.

Newly appointed Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt says he is committed to implementing Labor’s solution to farmer workforce shortages, despite industry opposition to the plans.

In his first interview with The Weekly Times since being sworn in, Senator Watt also revealed he had “farming blood” in his family and promised to work overtime to become better known in the southern states.

Labor announced plans to ditch the Coalition’s ag-specific visa and instead create an agricultural stream within the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) program.

“We were pretty clear with our plans going into the election,” Mr Watt said.

“But I’m aware that all stakeholders are not 100 per cent happy with what we’ve put forward.”

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt.

In leap-up to the election, the National Farmers Federation accused Labor of putting a “handbrake” on agriculture’s growth with its decision to ditch the ag visa.

Senator Watt said he was also determined to see off existing biosecurity challenges being posed by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Indonesia, lumpy skin disease being found in Australia and Japanese encephalitis.

He revealed his father grew up on a dairy farm outside Mackay and also worked as a cane cutter, while his mother’s family were also dairy farmers on the Darling Downs.

“I haven’t been a farmer myself and I’m not going to pretend I have,” he said.

“But I have got farming blood.

“You hear the stories as a kid and you generate an interest in it.

“I get it is a vital industry for the country and is the backbone of regional communities.

“I’ve had an interest in agriculture policy for a long time.

“Obviously agriculture is a massive industry in Queensland.

“You can’t have worked in the Queensland Government as long as I have or been a senator for Queensland without having an interest in agriculture policy.

“I will be the first to admit I haven’t got those same connections in the southern part of the country.

“But it’s something I will work on.”

NFF president Fiona Simson welcomed Senator Watt’s appointment.

“Now more than ever agriculture needs strong leadership as our farmers tackle the challenges of climate change, workforce shortages, supply-chain disruptions and biosecurity threats from overseas,” she said.

Labor’s previous Agriculture Minister believes Senator Watt will rise to the challenge of the role and do a “magnificent job”.

Joel Fitzgibbon, who occupied the role in the second Kevin Rudd Ministry in 2013, said the new Labor Minister also understood regional Australia.

“He is an outstanding choice and he will do a magnificent job,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“I’ve worked with him through the various Senate processes.

“He understands the regions and is a supporter of the regions.

“While he will have a little bit to learn on the agriculture front, I know he will throw himself into it energetically and with great dedication.”

Former Labor Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon. Picture Renee Nowytarger / The Australian

Senator Watt worked as a solicitor in his home state of Queensland and joined the sunshine state’s public service before entering politics, initially as a state MP.

He entered federal politics in 2016 and served as Shadow Minister Northern Australia and Disaster and Emergency Management in Opposition.

Mr Fitzgibbon said he had spoken to Senator Watt since his appointment and told him “stakeholder engagement is first and foremost” to succeeding in the role.

“This is something Murray is very good at,” he said.

“He is an excellent listener and I know he is very keen to do good things in the portfolio.”

He will also be responsible for Fisheries, Forestry and Emegency Management.

Tasmanian Julie Collins had been the Shadow Agriculture Minister in the lead-up to the election, but will be Minister Housing, Homelessness and Small Business in the Albanese Government.

Tanya Plibersek will be the Water and Environment Minister.

Tanya Plibersek has the dual responsibilities of water and the environment after the portfolios were held separately by Keith Pitt and Sussan Ley respectively in the ousted Morrison Government.

Ms Plibersek was the Shadow Minister Education and Women before Labor won office.

One of her main responsibilities as Water Minister will be delivering the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Terri Butler had been tipped to be the next Environment Minister, but lost her Brisbane seat at the election.

“We know climate change is having a significant impact and Tanya has a long-term interest in the environment,” Mr Albanese said.

“Tanya will be outstanding in that area, but also in particular in the area of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

“It is very important that it actually gets delivered. Tanya is someone who can get things done.”

Catherine King is the Minister Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ballarat MP Catherine King will also be on the front bench as the Minister Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Eden-Monaro MP Kristy McBain scored a promotion to the outer ministry in the areas of Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.

The NSW south coast MP was singled out for special praise from Mr Albanese when he unveiled his ministry last night.

“Kristy McBain is fully deserving of this position,” he said.

“She has been the mayor and an outstanding mayor during the period of the bushfire crisis.

“I know how good she was in delivering on the ground at a time when frankly the Federal Government went missing.”