AUSVEG has launched its federal election priorities outlining key commitments that need to be addressed.
With the 2024 ‘AUSVEG industry sentiment report’ revealing a crisis in farm profitability leading to one third of growers considering walking away in the next year, the peak industry body is emphasising the need for urgent action to secure the sector’s future.
AUSVEG’s federal election priorities document outlines 21 specific commitments needed from all parties contesting the next election, under the pillars of:
- Secure supply
- Skills and workforce stability
- Structural supports for business
- Sustainable future
With Australian growers currently producing 98% of the fresh vegetables consumed in this country, the commitments identified are said to be key to preventing an exodus from the industry, and dire flow-on impacts for consumer prices and food security.
A commitment to a national campaign to boost vegetable consumption, alongside initiatives to shore-up national food security, address major skills and workforce shortages and promote business investment and opportunities are among the key priorities.
AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote says the commitments outlined are the result of extensive consultation with AUSVEG state member farming associations and growers around the country, to ensure the needs of Australian vegetable growing businesses were captured and addressed.
“In launching AUSVEG’s federal election priorities, we are determined to ensure the specific and distinct needs of the growers we represent are heard and acted upon,” he says.
“The next federal election will be pivotal for our sector as Australian vegetable growers continue straining under the weight of a cost-of-production crisis, compliance burden, poor farmgate returns, a lack of funds to invest and innovate, workforce shortages and declining consumer engagement.
“While Australian consumers are still confronting a cost-of-living crisis and the wider Australian economy remains under pressure, indicators in the Australian vegetable industry are particularly concerning.
“Without the necessary commitments, we risk having more growers leave the sector, reductions in fresh vegetable supply, consumer price increases, and threats to our food security.
“AUSVEG’s election priorities provide a clear blueprint for commitments from all political parties to address the vegetable industry’s key issues, as identified directly by growers.
“All parties contesting the next election should heed the warnings coming from Australia’s vegetable industry and commit now to securing its future.”