Historic Biosecurity Budget Boost
The Minns Labor Government will invest over $140 million of new funding to safeguard the future of our states agricultural industry. As part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to build better regional communities this year’s state budget will continue the government’s focus on strengthening the state’s biosecurity program with and primary industries research capabilities.
$100 million in new additional funding will be invested to further strengthen the state’s biosecurity detection, protection and response, bringing the states biosecurity budget to a historic $1.05 billion.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to making investments which grow the state’s economy. Primary industries contribute $20 billion annually to our state, as well as playing an essential role in keeping us fed and clothed, however invasive pests, diseases and weeds pose a significant threat.
This funding will drive the development of a new, sustainable and integrated biosecurity model. It will enable strengthening of surveillance and improve the state’s emergency response capacity in the event of a biosecurity incursion.
The Minns Labor Government was elected with a commitment to prioritise the state’s biosecurity, this funding will build on the work undertaken over the past years, which has delivered:
$41.2 million will be invested to modernise the primary industry research and development program, including upgrades to digital infrastructure to promote research in emerging areas such as AI assisted farming.
This funding will also support a graduate program to give a pathway to young scientists ensuring NSW has a pipeline of skilled researchers, safeguarding the productivity and efficiency of our state’s agricultural industry into the future.
This builds on the over $60 million invested last year to deliver vital upgrades to seven research facilities, and five emergency response sites across regional NSW, that were neglected by the former Liberal National Government.
These upgrades and additional funding will support the staff undertaking research across the state in vital areas such as, animal nutrition, climate change, aquaculture breeding as well as biosecurity surveillance and responses.
In the face of global challenges, including climate change it is imperative that NSW farmers have the tools to adapt and thrive. This funding will ensure the vital work undertaken at research facilities becomes more strategic, focused and valuable to farmers and producers.
This new research funding is in response to the final report of the Independent Research and Development Review conducted by a panel of eminent scientist and agricultural economists chaired by the former NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane AC.
Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns said:
“We are working hard to build a better New South Wales, by making investments which will grow the economy and set the state up for long term prosperity.
“We know that New South Wales cannot reach its full potential if our state’s farmers and agricultural industry are not thriving and safeguarded into the future.
“I’ve been lucky to meet with many farmers across our state and listen to their concerns, whether it’s feral pigs, deer, weeds or fires ants, all of them have raised the unrelenting threat biosecurity incursions pose.
“That is why we are making this essential investment to ensure that farmers can continue to do what they do best, knowing that the Government has their back when it comes to managing weeds and pests across the state.”
Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty said:
“These significant budget investments build on the work we have carried out over the last two years to turbo charge the fight against ferals, pests, diseases and weeds.
“Biosecurity is receiving unprecedented attention from our Government due to the increasing risk to our farmers and landscapes. We are standing with our farmers to show them the way on how to deal with these problems and to battle any feral problems head-on to make a real difference.
“We are committed to modernising our research and development effort for primary industries with an additional $41.2 million, so that there has been more than $100 million in new funding over the last year, and it is bringing a stronger, strategic and resilient focus to the future of primary industries.
“Establishing a graduate pathway for young scientists and researchers into our primary industries research program is essential to maintaining a continuous and dedicated specialist workforce driven by purpose and achievement.”
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/releases/2025/ministerial/historic-biosecurity-budget-boost