The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) has thanked the state government for its willingness to engage with stakeholders early in the electoral cycle across the Riverina.

The RGA believes the the rice industry will be well represented by both Mr Blair and Mr Piccoli in the NSW cabinet.

Last week representatives from the RGA this had dinner with the pair, who were in town, to address a raft of policy issues and explore strategies for positive reform and progress over the next four years.

Senior departmental officials from the director general down to the minister’s water and media advisers also attended.

RGA’s executive director Dean Logan described the discussions as positive.

“This was without a doubt one of the most fruitful and worthwhile dinners I’ve attended with a government minister,” he said.

“The RGA secured considerable time with both ministers to discuss the rice industry.

“The willingness of ministers Blair and Piccoli to engage stakeholders is refreshing and commendable.”

The RGA along with key irrigator based stakeholders were invited to dinner to discuss a range of issues from water policy, rice single desk, input costs, productivity and regional socio-economic dynamics to trade and federal policy issues. 

While significant detail was covered one clear message was evident, according to Mr Logan.

“The NSW government is open for business and regional NSW is front and centre of the government’s agenda,” he said.

“A point that resonated throughout the evening was that while challenges remain, talking down communities and industries is a poor substitute for constructive policy development.

“This government is setting a foundation for strong ongoing dialogue, where challenges and solutions are placed on the table and assessed maturely, based on their impacts on farmers, industry and the community.

“The RGA stands committed to the process and accepts the offer from both ministers to engage again in a more comprehensive and technical sense over the next fortnight, in the hope of delivering positive reform and solutions to the issues RGA members and their communities face on a daily basis.”

While in Leeton, the pair also visited the Yanco Agricultural Institute along with mayor Paul Maytom.

Both he and Mr Piccoli have connections to the area, with Mr Piccoli from Griffith, while Mr Blair formally lived in Leeton. 

“The fact I have lived in communities like Leeton will no doubt hold me in good stead,” Mr Blair said.