Coalition pledges funding for ADF

ADF president Terry Richardson said the organisation supported the ‘‘windfall’’ for the dairy industry.

‘‘It is fantastic to see a real plan for the dairy industry and delivers on a number of key imperatives that we know will assist the industry,’’ he said.

Further funding would include $10million to support dairy farmers investing in more energy efficient equipment and $8.1million to extend the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s agriculture unit.

Farmer groups would also receive $3million to assist them to establish co-operatives, $500000 would be given to Dairy Australia to improve legal and financial literacy for contract negotiations with processors and a dairy industry specialist position would be created in the ACCC’s agriculture unit.

The election promise builds on a $560000 commitment for ADF to facilitate the development of a new dairy industry trading platform, as well the implementation of a mandatory code of conduct.

‘‘This is a timely and welcome announcement that will ensure the mandatory code of conduct is appropriately resourced, and the decision to appoint a dedicated dairy industry specialist within that unit is an important step in the process,’’ Mr Richardson said.