Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Furner for his continuing interest in food security and the National Food Plan. The government understands that for farmers, producers, food producing regions and consumers the question of food security and the future of our food industry is a critical one. In Australia, food production supports jobs, underpins regional development and provides the entire community with high-quality food and fibre. Australia's food industry significantly contributes to the economy and trade and all parts of the food chain. This industry contributes over $200 billion to the Australian economy. Food and related employment right along the supply chain is estimated to be nearly one million people, or to put it another way: roughly one in 22 Australians work in the food chain. At home, it is fair to say that Australians have an enviable food security status and we will, as a government, continue to defend and ensure that this status continues and that it plays an important role in the provision of global food security.

However, the world is changing rapidly and Australia needs to be ready to meet the risks and opportunities as they occur, including a changing global food market, global population growth and climate change. It is for these reasons that last year the Gillard government made a commitment to look into the future and to develop the nation's first ever National Food Plan. The government has a clear vision for Australia's food supply chains. We want to foster a sustainable, global, competitive, resilient food supply and we want to ensure that food supply supports every Australian's access to nutritious and affordable food. I am able to inform the Senate that the finalised objectives of the National Food Plan include identifying and mitigating risks to our food security, reducing the barriers— (Time expired)