The Minister for Water Resources, Drought and Rural Finance, David Littleproud has welcomed the shakeup of the Australian Public Service (APS), saying it will strengthen the Service’s ability to deliver effective policy outcomes across agriculture, water and the environment.
Mr Littleproud said environment, water and agriculture were “inextricably linked” across Australia and it “made sense” to bring the respective Departments together.
“Bringing together the Environment and Agriculture Departments will provide greater synergies to the policies and programs that underpin regional Australia and our agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries,” Mr Littleproud said.
“We look forward to working even more closely together to deliver a practical environmental agenda that delivers for our farmers, who manage more than 50 per cent of Australia’s land mass.”
The restructure will see a new Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment created on 1 February, 2020 to house the previous Department of Agriculture and the environment functions from the current Department of the Environment and Energy while a new Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources would consolidate the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, the energy functions of the Department of the Environment and Energy and small business functions from the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business.
As the present Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Daryl Quinlivan, is to leave the post when the amalgamation takes place, Mr Littleproud thanked him for his commitment and service.
“Daryl has been a dedicated and utterly professional public servant,” Mr Littleproud said.
“We look forward to working with the new Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Andrew Metcalfe.”
Details of the 2020 APS restructure can be accessed at this PS News link.
