... to build skills for our workforce
... to deliver innovative research partnerships to grow investment
... to network and modernise services

Queensland´s primary industries sector is changing. The global financial crisis, world-wide food shortages, rising food prices, a changing climate, skill shortages and increasing biosecurity threats are issues at the forefront of modern agribusiness.

To meet these challenges and to capitalise on the opportunities the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin, has announced a fresh approach to growing Queensland´s primary industries. The fresh approach initiative refocuses the way DPI&F works to achieve the vision of a $34 billion industry by 2020 - almost three times today´s value.

The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) is developing a plan with industry, education providers and research organisations for a fresh approach to accelerate growth.

This fresh approach involves:

• partnering with schools, Australian Agricultural College Corporation and universities to create and market rewarding and attractive career paths in all aspects of primary industries
• progressing the national research, development and extension framework by establishing proposed 'centres of excellence' to better partner industry with education, attract the highest level of domestic and international investment possible and ensure investment in research and development to provide greater productivity for industry
• developing tailored services that maximise the department´s contribution to accelerated growth for primary industries.

Since the fresh approach was announced by the Minister, Tim Mulherin in June 2008, key progress has included:

• transferring the Australian Agricultural College Corporation (AACC) to the DPI&F from the Department of Education, Training and the Arts on 1 July 2008
• announcing a new agri-science hub in Mareeba to focus on research, development and extension, education and training on the Atherton Tablelands
• launching DPI&F's mobile office
• signing a Statement of Intent with James Cook University to create the Australian Institute for Tropical Agricultural Sciences
• launching the new Queensland Biosecurity Strategy
• announcing $32 million in investments for the Queensland beef industry as part of 2020 Beef.