Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Audit strategy overview

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) portfolio has responsibility for quarantine services, plant and animal health, sustainable agriculture promotion, marketing, and climate change in rural Australia. In addition, agencies responsible for the regulation of fishing in Commonwealth-managed fisheries and agricultural medicines reside within the portfolio.

The total 2009–10 budget for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio is $1.8 billion. A priority for DAFF is implementing the recommendations of the Equine Influenza Inquiry (the Callinan Inquiry) and the broader Beale Review into quarantine services conducted in 2008. The department must also continue to coordinate the Government’s drought assistance programs and deliver major environmental initiatives such as the Caring for Our Country program.

Audits in recent years have focused on: the management of structural adjustment programs in the dairy, forestry and fishing industries; and the regulation of Commonwealth-managed fisheries and agricultural medicines. The ANAO’s future audit program will continue to address the risks associated with the priority areas of drought assistance, quarantine services and natural resource management.

Potential audits

Drought Assistance

The Australian Government provides support to farmers during periods of prolonged drought conditions through Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance. This EC assistance includes support for farming families and support for farm enterprises. In 2007, the Government announced new drought assistance measures, including a new EC Exit Package. Further funding for EC and income support was provided in the 2008–09 and 2009–10 Federal Budgets. Payments for drought assistance are made by Centrelink.

An audit would examine DAFF’s administration of drought assistance measures. The audit may also involve Centrelink.

Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy

The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy contributes to protecting Australia from exotic pests, weeds and diseases that could enter Australia from countries to its north. The strategy plays a vital role in contributing to the early detection of the entry of pests and disease threats, mainly to commercial agriculture in Australia, but also to the introduction of environmental pests, particularly weeds, in northern Australia.

An audit would examine the administration of the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy and would complement the ANAO’s previous audits of quarantine effectiveness.

Quarantine and Biosecurity Systems

DAFF works across the full continuum of quarantine measures: pre-border, border and post-border. A range of technologies and approaches are used, including research, shared international resources and intelligence, to help prevent the introduction and spread of disease. Surveillance and monitoring of risk areas is critical along with border control activities, which focus on intercepting and quarantining potential threats at Australia's airports, seaports, and international mail centres. Quarantine controls at Australia's borders aim to minimise the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering Australia and protect our $32 billion agriculture export industries.

A series of audits would examine the effectiveness of Australia’s quarantine operations at international airports, seaports and mail centres, including measures to manage interventions on a risk basis.

Caring for Our Country Program

The goal of the Caring for Our Country program is for Australians to enjoy an environment that is healthy, well-protected, well-managed, resilient, and that provides essential ecosystem services in a changing climate. The program aims to deliver funding to local communities through a regional funding model. In its initial five years (from 1 July 2008 to June 2013), the program will provide around $2 billion in funding for natural resource management. The program also includes two Indigenous-specific programs: Indigenous Protected Areas ($50 million over five years) and Working on Country ($90 million over five years).

An audit, or series of audits, would examine the administration of the Caring for Our Country program and whether the objectives of the program are being met. This audit would also involve the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts as the program is jointly administered.

Australia’s Farming Future

Australia’s Farming Future is the Australian Government’s climate change initiative for primary industries. It provides funding of $130 million over four years from 2008–09 to help primary producers adapt and respond to climate change. The initiative consists of climate change research and adjustment programs, transitional income support and community networks and capacity building.

An audit would examine the administration of the program and whether the objectives of the program are being achieved.

Management of Domestic Fishing Compliance—Follow on

From its establishment in 1992 until June 2009, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) adopted a decentralised approach to monitoring compliance with the Fisheries Management Act 1991 in Commonwealth fisheries. State fishery agencies undertook, on AFMA’s behalf, most compliance monitoring activities. From July 2009 AFMA adopted a centralised compliance model using Canberra-based staff to conduct most domestic compliance activities. The expected benefits from this new approach included a greater control and consistency in the conduct of compliance and enforcement activities, and improved flexibility to allocate resources.

An audit would examine the effectiveness of AFMA’s new centralised approach to compliance monitoring and the progress made in implementing the recommendations of Audit Report No.47  2008–09 Management of Domestic Fishing Compliance.

 

Previous: Introduction

Next: Attorney-General’s