Ms Courtney considers Tasmania’s primary industry sector to be going from strength to strength, despite recent biosecurity pressures.

Stepping into the role amidst a fruit fly incursion, Ms Courtney said she was dedicated to eradicating the threat from the state.

“This area will be a key focus for our government representatives,” Ms Courtney said.

“We are seeing increased pressure from trade and tourism.”

The Tasmanian government’s biosecurity investments in detector dogs, truck wash facilities, strengthening Biosecurity Tasmania’s collaboration with industry groups and funding for more officers are all ready to roll out this term.

“We are starting the recruitment process for biosecurity officers on King and Flinders islands soon and we will expand Biosecurity Tasmania’s industry collaboration over the next four years,” she said.

An area that has seen heightened discussion within the community since the fruit fly incursion has been the number of flights met by detector dogs.

“We have the capacity to target 100 per cent of flights at major airports.”

However, delays, construction work and changes to flight times meant this did not always happen.

Ms Courtney said she had already met with agricultural ministers from other Australian states and eradicating fruit fly was top of the agenda.

These discussions included protocols for fumigating fruit coming into Tasmania, as well as transporting and treating produce on the island.

Looking more broadly at the state’s agricultural production, Ms Courtney said there were many opportunities available for Tasmanian producers.

“We have a strong mandate across farming, horticulture and fishing.”

“Our clean air, clean water and reputation underpins a bright future for the broader primary industries sector. We need to retain our reputation,” she said.

Tasmania’s agricultural diversity is one of the state’s strengths, with Ms Courtney highlighting red meat, dairy and cropping in traditional sectors, along with innovative areas like poppies, hemp and irrigation.

“Irrigation is one of the biggest opportunities, and we’re about to bring on Scottsdale Irrigation Scheme. It will make a meaningful difference in those communities, as seen in other irrigation roll outs,” she said.