"Had the Member for Toowoomba South taken time to study my speech delivered yesterday in Townsville on the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries' "Fresh Approach',' he would have gleaned a number of facts that he has conveniently overlooked today," Mr Mulherin said.

"Firstly our 'Fresh Approach' is about being smarter.

"Any astute businessman, or in this case a Smart State Government conscious of how it spends rate-payers money, knows that you must divest to re-invest.

"I made it absolutely clear yesterday that funds raised from selling some old and outdated facilities would be re-invested in new state-of-the art facilities.

"To claim that we are looking to do otherwise is just mischievous and to drag out the same old, discredited lines about the budget and staff numbers s hows how far removed the Opposition is from reality.

"The Member for Toowoomba South might also like to note that this strategy is being actively supported by peak industry groups such as Agforce and the QFF."

The Minister said next week he would tour key areas of the state, speaking to staff and stakeholders about what is proposed.

"There has been and will continue to be community and stakeholder consultation," Mr Mulherin said.

"The Opposition can claim credit all it likes but under the Bligh Government our Fresh Approach will become a reality.

"Briefly, to re-iterate what I launched in Townsville yesterday:

"The Fresh Approach is about DPI&Fs' services and how best to deliver them to producers across Queensland.

"The changes are aimed at reaching a potential $34 billion annual contribution by agriculture to Queensland's economy by 2020 - almost treble today's value of $12.47 billion.

"The approach is based around three pillars:

• Building skills for the future;

• Delivering innovative research partnerships to grow investment and

• Driving profitability from the 'farm gate to plate'.

"How this will be done includes:

• forging a greater link between Queensland's five Agricultural colleges at Longreach, Dalby, the Burdekin and the Atherton Tablelands with DPI&F science, technology and services.

• developing a more coordinated and efficient national research program with Queensland leading in our strongest areas such as beef, horticulture and summer grains.

• creating centres of excellence, supported by world-class experimental and field facilities, such as the Government is doing with the Ecoscience Precinct at Boggo Road and Health and Food Sciences at Coopers Plains."