Our plan for Australian agriculture will allow us to work together with the sector and regional Australians to meet those aspirations in the years to come. GROWING JOBS, BUILDING SUSTAINABLE PROFITABILTY LABOR’S POSITIVE PLAN FOR AGRICULTURE AND REGIONAL AUSTRALIA A MESSAGE FROM BILL SHORTENAbout 7.2 million people live in rural and regional Australia – and every one of them is fiercely proud of the communities they call home. Labor understands that life in regional and remote Australia is not always easy, but it comes with many rewards.Australia prospers when our regions prosper. From cattle farms and wineries to wool, wheat and minerals, regional Australia generates a significant part of Australia’s wealth.In return, regional communities rightly expect the same high quality services and facilities that people in our major cities enjoy.Labor’s positive plans to invest in every Australian school by fully delivering the Gonski education reforms, protect Medicare to keep health care affordable and accessible, and grow jobs through more infrastructure and apprenticeships will all help to ensure this is the case.A major challenge for the years ahead is to grow local jobs and new economic activity in our regions so that young people don’t have to leave home to get ahead, and communities can continue to thrive.As we transition out of the mining investment boom and the rising consumer class of Asia creates new demand for our food and fibre products, Labor believes the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors will play a major role in driving the growth and job creation we need. Australia’s strongest opportunities lie in moving up the value chain with a focus on high quality, high value products, not chasing a diminishing margin in an increasingly crowded market for bulk commodities.We will strengthen these sectors through initiatives like our Food, Fibre and Advanced Materials Modernisation Grants, the creation of a National Recreational Fishing Council and the establishment of an Australian Institute for Biosecurity to safeguard Australia’s valuable international reputation as a provider of clean, green and safe food. We will also boost trade, exports and investment so that regional communities can grow in prosperity along with the rest of our country.Labor puts people first – no matter where they live in Australia. My team and I are committed to working every day to ensure people in rural and regional Australia get the opportunity to build a decent life.I invite you to read more about Labor’s positive policies at: www.100positivepolicies.org.au.Bill Shorten