Rachel Payne MP has pressed the Minister for Agriculture on how the Victorian Government is actually supporting the growth of the state’s medicinal cannabis industry. She argues its own development plan needs to translate into real, accessible support for local businesses.
Full Transcript
The Question re: Victoria’s Medicinal Cannabis Industry
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:34): (1458) My question is for the Minister for Agriculture in the other place. The Victorian government’s medicinal cannabis industry development plan aims to supply half of Australia’s medicinal cannabis market by 2028. However, Invest Victoria’s website shows limited grants programs. It still leads to a page that has no information to support the government’s development plan for this industry.
Medicinal cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 16 per cent. The medicinal cannabis industry is growing rapidly. Victoria should be leading, not leaving businesses behind. Moreover, it is time for the government to turn its industry plan into action.
We need a clear pathway for businesses to access investment grants, research partnerships, infrastructure support and export assistance. Can the minister please advise how the government is supporting the growth of the medicinal cannabis industry in Victoria?
The Supplementary Question
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:36): I thank the minister for referring it on. According to the Office of Drug Control, only approximately 25 per cent of cannabis is produced in Australia. In comparison, medicinal cannabis that is imported from countries such as Canada and Thailand accounts for much more. This highlights a significant challenge for cultivators and manufacturers in Victoria. While the Victorian government has ambitions to develop a strong domestic medicinal cannabis industry, local businesses are competing in a market where imported products can benefit from large-scale overseas cultivation and production. Would the minister commit to meeting with the Victorian medicinal cannabis cultivators to hear directly about the barriers they face? Furthermore, will the minister work with them to progress the implementation of the government’s medicinal cannabis industry development plan?
A Plan That Needs to Deliver
Rachel’s questions highlight a gap between ambition and action. There is a government plan aiming to supply half the national medicinal cannabis market by 2028. However, there is little visible support on the ground for the businesses that would need to deliver it. Her follow-up sharpens the point. She notes that Victorian cultivators are competing against large-scale imports from countries like Canada and Thailand. Also, she asks the Minister to meet directly with local cultivators to hear about the barriers they’re facing.
