The legacy of John Kerin : a Labor Party man of rural policy based on science

Abstract

The aim of this research was to discover why John Kerin, when Minister for Primary Industry in the reformist Hawke Labor government in Australia in the 1980s, vigorously pursued the development of policies aimed at increasing farm productivity. He believed those policies were the best form of assistance to the primary industries. Productivity had been languishing in Australia. The dominance of farm policy by the conservative parties had led to complacency and inefficiency as a result of decades of government price support schemes and a plethora of subsidies. A prime example was the reserve price scheme for wool, which led to the industry's collapse. Kerin, a former Shadow Minister, farmer and officer in the prestigious Bureau of Agricultural Economics (BAE), believed the only way to foster increased productivity in the farm industries was through research and development (R&D) programs. He had absorbed the findings of senate and public service inquiries into the operations of government and grower funded farm research committees. Those findings highlighted the need for greater focus and accountability. Kerin resolved to reform the system by establishing corporate governance for each commodity. He achieved his purpose through the passing of the Primary Industry and Energy Research and Development (PIERD) Act of 1989. This thesis examines John Kerin's role in encouraging fellow ministers in the Hawke Labor government and the nation's farmers to support his reforms, as well as obtaining a significant increase in government funding aimed at enhancing competitiveness in the complex farming industry. Because of this complexity, the farm sector needs long-term research within a defined framework and that is what John Kerin put in place. The research highlights the significant role played in policy formulation in the second half of the 20th century by the relatively new profession of agricultural economics. Kerin's association with its practitioners, many of whom were highly critical of government policies of intervention, no doubt influenced his thinking and policies. He was an officer of the prestigious BAE for two separate periods before being appointed as Shadow Minister for Primary Industry and later Minister. This researcher interviewed John Kerin and his associates, learnt of his insistence on policy based on science and learnt how he convinced his fellow ministers and farm leaders that his policy proposal was the way to provide greater focus and accountability to research and development programs. The thesis also demonstrates how Kerin's all-encompassing proposal overcame the objections of the pre-eminent government departments like Finance and Prime Ministers' and convinced the parliamentary opposition to support the establishment of the research and development corporations. A major achievement. What is more, Kerin's basic research and development framework is still intact in 2015, despite seven changes of government, numerous official inquiries and the addition of marketing responsibilities to some corporations. This research thesis provides evidence that Australia has a globally unique system for farm research and development. It provides all Australians, as consumers of foodstuffs and wearers of fibres, that this country has permanent farm research structures established by Kerin and endorsed by the federal parliament. The corporations are designed to ensure the delivery of high quality and safe essentials for all Australians as well as providing assurance to the millions of buyers of Australian foods and fibres around the world. The objects of the Primary Industry Research and Development Act (PIERD) established by Kerin and the federal parliament in 1989 are clear and simple. First, to make provision for the funding and administration of research and development with the aim of increasing the economic, environmental and social benefits to the primary industries and the wider community by improving the production, processing, storage, transport and marketing of the farm products. Previously there had been no emphasis on any procedure or process beyond the farm gate. Added to these features was the sustainable use and the sustainable management of natural resources and making more effective use of the skills of the community and the scientific community in particular; and most importantly improving accountability for expenditure on research and development activities in relation to primary industries.

Date of Award	2015
Original language	English