Department of Agriculture (Australia)

This article is about the Department of Agriculture that existed between 2013 and 2015. For the Department of Agriculture that existed between 1974 and 1975, see Department of Agriculture (Australia, 1974–75).

Department of Agriculture
Department overview

Formed	18 September 2013 (2013-09-18)^[1]
Preceding Department	Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Dissolved	21 September 2015
Superseding agency	Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
Jurisdiction	Australia
Employees	4,644 (at June 2014)^[2]
Ministers responsible	Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Agriculture Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture
Department executives	Daryl Quinlivan, Secretary (2015) Paul Grimes, Secretary (2013‑15)
Website	www.daff.gov.au

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture was a federal government department charged with the responsibility to develop and implement policies and programs that ensure Australia's agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries remain competitive, profitable and sustainable.

The head of the department was the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, initially Paul Grimes (until March 2015) and then Daryl Quinlivan. The Secretary was responsible to the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP.

Overview

Department of Agriculture policies and programs:

encourage and support sustainable natural resource use and management
protect the health and safety of plant and animal industries
enable industries to adapt to compete in a fast-changing international and economic environment
help improve market access and market performance for the agricultural and food sector
encourage and assist industries to adopt new technology and practices
assist primary producers and the food industry to develop business and marketing skills, and to be financially self-reliant.

History

The department was formed by way of an administrative order issued on 18 September 2013^[3] and replaced the functions previously performed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Operational activities

The department facilitated the development of self-reliant, profitable, competitive and sustainable Australian farm businesses and industries. Through consultation with industry, the department develops and implements policies and programs that help to assure product safety and integrity. Particular emphasis is placed on on-farm risk management that relates to food safety.

References

↑ CA 9430: Department of Agriculture [II], Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 9 April 2014
↑ Australian Public Service Commission (2014), Main features:APS at a glance, archived from the original on 5 October 2014
↑ "Administrative Arrangements Order" (PDF). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Commonwealth of Australia. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.

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