A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will help secure Australia’s food future with the development of a new national food security strategy: Feeding Australia.
The strategy will boost the security and supply chain resilience of agriculture and food production systems in Australia.
“Feeding Australia will be a strategy for all Australians. Through the strategy, we will identify opportunities to improve supply chain resilience, with the goal of minimising price volatility and costs at the checkout,” according to a statement.
Feeding Australia will build on the work the Albanese Labor Government has already undertaken to improve food security and the Australian food system.
“While Australia produces enough food to feed more than twice its own population, it is exposed to global supply and demand pressures, climate change and other risks,” the statement said.
“The Government has listened to farmers and the community who have called for government to work with industry to set out a vision for Australia’s food system.”
The Government will commit $3.5 million to develop Feeding Australia with a collaborative approach to give farmers and other stakeholders in the food supply chain the opportunity to address underlying challenges facing our food system.
The Government will establish a National Food Council, comprising industry and community experts, to advise on the development and implementation of the strategy.
The Government will also strategically examine the potential to grow a biofuels feedstock industry to support Australia’s transition to net zero.
“Greater food supply, stronger food security and sustainable agriculture will mean better outcomes for our farmers and greater certainty for consumers,” the statement said.
Feeding Australia’s comprehensive plans to deal with future trends, trade with other nations, and the consequences of natural disasters and global shocks mean Australia’s farmers will face the future with confidence.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP says: “Australia has an impressive record in agriculture, feeding millions of people both here and abroad, but we can’t afford to be complacent.
“The Albanese Labor Government will protect and strengthen Australia’s food security for the benefit of our farmers and all Australians, as well as the trading partners that rely on our produce.
“When our food and supply chains are secure, it reduces financial strain on households, helping all Australians.
“I’m excited to see the final strategy and work towards a stronger and more robust and resilient food system.”
Welcome commitment to National Food Security Strategy
AUSVEG has welcomed the commitment from the Australian Government to a National Food Security Strategy as recognition of the importance of shoring-up future food supply, and the long-term viability of Australia’s vegetable industry.
The peak body for Australia’s vegetable, potato and onion industry has long advocated for a national food plan, including supporting the recommendations of the 2023 Parliamentary inquiry into Australia’s food security, the Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond.
AUSVEG reiterated these calls in its 2025 Federal Election Priorities, alongside the need for measures to bolster sovereign manufacturing capability for food products and key farm inputs, to secure future food supply.
AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote says the Government’s commitment to a National Food Security Strategy, and by extension the viability of the national vegetable industry, was a welcome and long-awaited development.
“Australia has historically been a lucky country to enjoy an abundant supply of fresh, domestically-grown vegetables across the year,” said Mr Coote.
“Australian vegetable growers provide 98% of the fresh vegetables bought and consumed in Australia, which gives an indication of how critical the sector is to national food security.
“In recent years, questions have increasingly been raised about the longer-term supply of fresh Australian vegetables, as challenging business conditions, a cost-of-production crisis, compliance burden, workforce shortages, over-reliance on imported farm inputs and unsustainable returns continue leading one in three vegetable growers to consider leaving the industry in the next year.
“A commitment to a National Food Security Strategy is an important acknowledgment of the central role Australia’s vegetable industry must play in Australia’s future food security.
“AUSVEG is eager to engage with development and implementation of the strategy, as part of the proposed National Food Council, as addressing the many diverse issues and challenges that are threatening the viability of vegetable growing businesses – and their ability to continue supplying fresh, healthy and safe vegetables to Australian consumers – will be key to the strategy’s success.
“AUSVEG is continuing to call on all parties contesting the next election to commit to a secure food future for Australia, alongside the further commitments identified in our 2025 Federal Election Priorities to secure the long-term viability of Australia’s vegetable industry.”
Seafood Industry Australia welcomes the Albanese Government’s commitment to food security, following its announcement of $3.5 million to develop a national food security strategy: Feeding Australia.
Seafood Industry Australia has actively supported a strategic approach to food security and contributed to the 2019 Food Security Inquiry – Australian Food Story: Feeding the Nation and Beyond. Seafood Industry Australia looks forward to working with government to implement key recommendations, including Recommendation 5 of the final report: “As part of the National Food Plan, and in conjunction with industry, develop a specific strategy for expanding the seafood sector, one which optimises the use of resources while ensuring the economic and environmental sustainability of the industry.”
Seafood Industry Australia CEO Veronica Papacosta emphasised the urgency of addressing food security for the seafood sector.
“For the Australian seafood industry, raising awareness and planning for the future of food security cannot come soon enough,” said Ms Papacosta.
“Currently, 64% of the seafood Australians eat is imported. Without a clear plan to invest in and protect our local fishers and aquaculture producers, particularly in regional communities, this figure will only continue to rise.”
Seafood Industry Australia looks forward to continued collaboration with government and industry stakeholders to ensure a robust and sustainable future for Australia’s seafood sector.
