Shadow Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Deb Frecklington and Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Northern Development, Andrew Cripps, will join with Local Member for Burdekin Dale Last in Bowen to meet with the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association today.

Mrs Frecklington said both herself and Shadow Minister Cripps have made the early visit to the Burdekin electorate a priority in their new roles and look forward to discussing issues and  opportunities in the Horticultural industry.

“Bowen is a vital Horticultural region producing winter vegetable crops that greatly contribute to Queensland and Australia’s economy,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“The industry is the largest employer in the region and I am keen to listen to growers concerns about the future of the industry and how to it can grow and be sustained into the future,” she said.

“The LNP understands Agriculture is a key driver of the Queensland economy and keeping the needs of our regional areas top of mind with the new State Government will be our priority,” she said.

Mr Cripps said he had a good understanding of horticultural issues from previous visits to the Bowen region and his own North Queensland electorate of Hinchinbrook was also a major producer of fruit and vegetables.

“As Minister for Natural Resources in the previous government, I was closely involved in water use efficiency and pest and weed programs, so I understand natural resource management issues in the Bowen region” said Mr Cripps.