CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Terms of reference

1.1        On 19 September 2011 the Senate referred the following matters to the Senate Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 March 2012:

All aspects of higher education and skills training to support future demand in agriculture and agribusiness in Australia be examined, including:

(a) the adequacy and priority given to funding in the agriculture and agribusiness higher education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors by federal, state and territory governments;

(b) the significant decline in agricultural and related educational facilities in the past decade, including reasons and impacts;

(c) solutions to address the widening gap between demand and supply for higher education and VET sector graduates in agriculture and agribusiness in Australia;

(d) the impact of this shortage in terms of agriculture research, including research into climate change adaptation and sustainable agricultural techniques, bio-security and food security;

(e) the economic impact on Australia's terms of trade and reputation as a trusted supplier of high quality foodstuffs to world markets;

(f) ways to further incorporate animal welfare principles in agriculture courses; and

(g) any related matters.^[1]

1.2        On 27 February 2012 the Senate extended the reporting date until 8 June 2012. On 8 June 2012 the committee tabled an interim report in the Senate. This is the committee's final report.

Conduct of the inquiry

1.3        Notice of the inquiry was posted on the committee's website and advertised in The Australian newspaper, calling for submissions by 8 November 2011. The committee also directly contacted a number of interested parties to notify them of the inquiry and to invite submissions. The committee has received a total of 69 public submissions as listed at Appendix 1. Appendix 1 also includes information of answers to questions on notice and documents tabled by the committee.

1.4        The committee conducted a public hearings in Canberra on 1 February 2012, Perth on 26 March 2012 and Melbourne on 15 May 2012. Witnesses who appeared before the committee are listed at Appendix 2.

1.5        Copies of the Hansard transcript from the hearing are tabled for the information of the Senate. They can be accessed online at http://aph.gov.au/hansard.

Structure of this report

1.6        The committee's report is structured in the following way:

(a) Chapter 1 (this chapter) outlines the conduct of the inquiry;

(b) Chapter 2 discusses the demand for skills in agriculture and agribusiness;  

(c) Chapter 3 considers key issues in the education system, as relevant to agribusiness and agriculture; and

(d) Chapter 4 concludes the report with key recommendations.

Note on references

1.7        Submission references in this report are to individual submissions as received by the committee, not a bound volume. References in this report are to the proof Hansard. Please note that page numbers may vary between the proof and the official transcripts.

Acknowledgements

1.8        The committee would like to thank the large number of individuals and organisations who took the time to make submissions that helped shape the committee's deliberations.

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