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Tea trees get a financial boost from government

The Australian tea tree industry is set to benefit from the Coalition Government’s $5 million Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund. Source: Timberbiz

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Luke Hartsuyker, said the fund would provide $102,368 to assist the Australian Tea Tree Industry Association (ATTIA) to develop and implement organisational structures to enhance its advocacy capacity.

“The Coalition Government recognises how important strong industry leadership is to the success of Australia’s tea tree industry,” Minister Hartsuyker said.

“In July 2017 the government delivered on its Ag White Paper commitment to implement two tea tree levies, one for research and development and the second for emergency plant pest response.

“This funding will assist ATTIA to develop the structural leadership and capabilities expected of a peak industry body.

“The Australian Tea Tree Industry Leadership Structural Development Initiative will assist ATTIA to develop and implement a new constitution, a five-year research and development plan, a biosecurity protocol and financial, organisational and succession planning policies and procedures.

“These are all indicators of how far the tea tree industry has come in Australia and the government will work with the industry as it positions itself for continued development.

“This is an important project that will have a lasting impact on the tea tree industry and its current and future leaders and help to ensure tea tree growers have capable leadership into the future.

“We are ensuring these representative organisations are able to advocate agricultural and rural issues and champion their industries’ priorities to the wider community and to government.”