Thursday, 25 June 2026
NSW Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan said this week’s Government budget delivered a serious setback for agriculture and regional NSW at a critical time.
Farmers across the state are battling drought, rising feral animal numbers and increasing biosecurity threats and the Minns Labor Government’s budget fails to adequately address these issues, threatening one of the state’s largest industries.
“The Minns Labor Government’s budget for primary industries and regional NSW is a massive failure,” Mr Moylan said.
“Agriculture is one of the biggest industries in the state, generating more than $25 billion annually but the latest budget fails to recognise that at all.
“Instead, the government has opted to reannounce many of its previous commitments with no support to the most crucial matters facing the industry.
“And to top it all off, $157 million has been cut from vital agricultural agencies in Local Land Services (LLS) and the Rural Assistance Authority (RAA).
Mr Moylan said the figures released for biosecurity barely scratch the surface.
“Our farmers and regional communities are doing it incredibly tough with feral pig numbers and other biosecurity risks increasing by the day yet the budget falls short in those areas,” he said.
“Disappointingly, only $16.3 million has been allocated for feral pig control and pest management which is nowhere near enough to put a dent in the numbers.
“The cattle tick program was allocated $7 million which falls short of what is needed and means operators will be forced continue to shoulder the costs of controlling the spread of the parasite.
“The varroa mite incursion is escalating rapidly and there has been no mention of a concentrated control program to stop the spread in the budget.”
Nearly half of NSW is drought affected but the Minns Labor Government has again failed to provide support to farmers.
“There’s $1 million for drought resilience programs, but instead of drought resilience programs, the government needs to bite the bullet and provide transport subsidies for fodder, water and moving stock,” Mr Moylan said.
“It is fine to have a drought resilience program but that is not actually addressing the issues on the ground – moving water, moving feed and moving livestock.
“The 2026-27 NSW Budget affirms what we already knew – the Minns Labor Government has once again abandoned regional NSW by ignoring the challenges facing country communities.
“Regional NSW has had enough of a Labor Government and has had enough of a Minister who has zero interest in ensuring primary industries and regional NSW gets their fair share.”
MEDIA: Electorate Office 6772 5552
Photo caption: Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan said agriculture and primary industries missed out in the budget.