Message from the LNP Leader John-Paul Langbroek

IT’S a privilege to be attending this year’s Ag-Grow and an enormous honour to be officially opening this wonderful event.

Ag-Grow showcases our great primary and mining industries which are the backbone of Queensland’s prosperity and underpin the lifestyles we expect and enjoy.

Without the income from agriculture and mining, government services including our schools, hospitals, police and emergency services could not operate and while export prices for coal and other minerals are well down from their peaks, the cycle will turn and when it does, our industries will be ready to meet demand again.

Against the current economic downturn, agriculture remains a bright light with very good prospects for growth and particularly for much-needed export earnings.

For our agricultural and mining industries to capitalise on opportunities they need to stay at the forefront of production efficiencies.

They must continue to be world- competitive, and they must be quality-conscious.

Also they must be cost-competitive and they must be reliable in terms of suppling product when and where customers demand.

Staying abreast of the latest developments in machinery and production technologies is critical and that’s why the Ag-Grow QMIX field days are so beneficial in showcasing the latest advances to our farmers and miners.

I look forward to meeting with as many visitors and exhibitors as possible when I’m in Emerald for this great, annual event.

If you see me, please come up and say ‘Gidday’.