Interim state budget spending for primary industries and agriculture outlined

Spending in the interim state budget for the primary industries and the agricultural sector is almost unchanged from the original 2025-26 Tasmanian budget that failed to pass parliament and was one of the triggers for the snap state election.

The state government handed down its new budget on Thursday, outlining spending for the rest of the financial year.

Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce said the interim budget “looks to the future with optimism and a dedicated sense of purpose, building on the success of the past decade”.

“The budget maintains our existing commitments to expand irrigation projects across Tasmania, including $130.1 million towards Tranche 3 projects, with $50.4 million of this to support the delivery of the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme,” Mr Pearce said.

“Innovation is key to boosting agricultural productivity, which is why our government has invested $1.5 million over two years into the Agriculture Research and Development Fund.”

The $1.5 million for the Agriculture Research and Development Fund was promised in the original May budget that did not pass parliament.

It also included $2.25 million over the next three years to implement the remainder of the Deer Management Plan, which has been recommitted to in the new interim budget.

Mr Pearce said the new budget also includes $440,000 to implement the Rural Water Use Strategy.

“The interim Budget balances our strong economic and social achievements with a clear need to respond to the challenges we face.

“This Tasmanian Liberal Government has a clear target to grow the annual farm gate value to $10 billion by 2050 and we are backing our farmers to reach this goal.”