Ms Ley (Farrer) – 11 May 2023

After the pressures of another Budget week, I rise to invite every member of the house to unwind at this year’s Riverina Field Days!

The two-day event is staged at Griffith in the NSW Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area each and every May.

And for those who know anything about Griffith, you’ll know we are the centre of Australia’s food bowl, boasting great wines and culinary delights! But one of the things we are equally proud of is great hospitality!

Indeed, it’s so good, the Prime Minister has visited us twice in the last year – albeit briefly.

Drop in again tomorrow or Saturday and you’ll find a showcase of the best farming practices and technology across a wide range of rural industries.

The event is also a chance for me to remind the PM – and the House – just how important agriculture is to our national economy – getting close now to grossing 100 billion dollars annually!

Money absolutely vital to Australia’s prosperity, in good times and bad.

As show organiser Jason Torresan noted recently, ‘despite the impact of flooding, escalating production costs and staff shortages leading to challenging times, it’s important to show the strength, vitality, and diversity of primary industry’.

So, we are ready to celebrate this weekend; with 200 exhibitors & 12,000 people, a motocross show, real snake pit and even a chance to make your own hand-made spaghetti!

Buon appetito – hope to see you there!