Community & Business
13 April, 2026
Letter of the Editor: Darren Chester MP
Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, comments on food security
A deteriorating global strategic environment has strengthened the need to fast track the ‘National Food Security Strategy’ and elevate the issue of food and fibre security to a matter of national importance.
When it comes to food security, I agree with industry leaders that it’s time to take the issue more seriously and link it to national security in an increasingly uncertain world.
As a nation, we grow more than enough food for our own domestic consumption, but the agricultural sector depends heavily on many imported critical inputs like fuel, fertiliser and pesticides.
Disruptions in the supply chain, like we are seeing today, have the potential to undermine our farmers’ capacity to feed Australians and the tens of millions of people around the world who rely on our high-quality agricultural exports.
Food and Grocery Sector Forum industry chair Richard Forbes wrote to the government in December 2022 arguing for a national food security plan which hasn’t been delivered.
Recently he pointed out: “The lack of urgency and purpose can only be described as serious negligence on the government’s behalf, which is putting the Australian community at risk.”Developing a ‘National Food Security Strategy’ and backing it with investments in projects and infrastructure that builds on our national capacity to produce fuel and fertiliser, and distributing it efficiently to where its needed the most, is a task that demands greater urgency.
Our farmers are the best in the world, and we should be supporting them to continue to feed and clothe our nation with policy settings and strategic investments that help them prosper.
We need less talk, and more action.
