Bipartisan Backing For Farm Safety Lifesaving Move
TThe National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has welcomed bipartisan support for a $2.5 million commitment to save lives on farms following a horror year of fatalities.
The latest AgHealth Australia data shows a concerning spike in 2024: 72 deaths and 133 people seriously injured – more than double the previous year.
NFF President David Jochinke said the funding would allow Farmsafe Australia to continue its critical work to reverse these alarming numbers.
“We thank both sides of politics for stepping up and committing to this investment in saving lives,” Mr Jochinke said.
“Every death shatters a family. There are 72 families across Australia grieving from just one year. This funding sends a signal that the safety of farming families matters – and that Government has a role to play in fixing this.”
Farmsafe Australia Chair and Tasmanian farmer Felicity Richards thanked Labor and the Coalition for their leadership and commitment to building on programs to ensure generational change. She said the funding would be a game-changer for safety efforts on the ground.
“This support comes at a critical time. We’ve seen far too many tragedies over the years, and we know that with the right information and education, many of these could have been prevented,” Mrs Richards said.
“This funding enables us to deliver more practical, farmer-focused resources and campaigns that speak directly to the realities of working in agriculture. It also gives us the confidence to continue building a national culture where safety is not an afterthought but part of every decision on the farm.”
Mrs Richards acknowledged the importance of bipartisan support as deeply encouraging.
“It’s heartening to see both sides of politics recognise the importance of what we do. Farm safety is a responsibility for all of us. It’s about making sure the next generation grows up with their parents, their siblings, and their neighbours still alive,” she said.
“This funding allows us to focus on what matters most: preventing injury and saving lives.”
National Farm Safety Week is 20-26 July 2025 and this year’s theme is “Second Chances – Who knows how many you’ll get”.
https://nff.org.au/media-release/just-2-5m-to-help-stop-farm-deaths-time-for-all-parties-to-step-up/