Foreword

Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 (the Moore report) highlights the significance of Australia’s relationship to Southeast Asia at an economic level. It also stresses the need to look beyond trade to a broader and more closely integrated relationship with the region; one that includes agriculture and food. Australia has an important role to play in the food security of Southeast Asia through food exports and by building the capability of the agriculture and food production sectors of the region. Australian technology and production systems also have much to offer the region. Long-term investment in regional relationships will be vital to progressing both trade and regional collaboration.

The recommendations made in this report fall within three broad themes—opportunities and challenges; building relationships; and enhancing food security while building capability. Most recommendations focus on ensuring that government activities around trade, regional engagement, food security, biosecurity, and capability building, are adequately resourced in terms of funding and personnel.

There is already extensive trade in food and agriculture between Australia and Southeast Asia, underpinned by bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. The growth in population and incomes within Southeast Asia present enormous opportunities for Australia’s agricultural industries. A key example is the Indonesian Government’s commitment to provide free lunches and milk to students across Indonesia. Australia’s agricultural industries are well placed to contribute to this program if the Australian Government and industry can successfully engage with their Indonesian counterparts.

Despite the development of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements with the region, market access remains an issue. Non-tariff barriers are a significant and growing problem, requiring constant attention, and adequate resourcing by government. Australia’s ability to remain vigilant in identifying non-tariff barriers, and persistent in addressing them will be vital to ensuring the continued growth of trade with the region. Efforts to streamline trade through the harmonisation of regulations and standards will also be needed.

This inquiry highlighted the importance of developing relationships over the long-term and promoting collaboration in sustained ways. Key objectives include collaboration between government and industry in Australia, and closer collaboration with Australia’s trading partners in the region. It is essential that government and business be able to operate in ways that accommodate cultural expectations as well as economic considerations. Trade missions, joint ventures and promoting Southeast Asian literacy will be fundamental to developing and maintaining ongoing relationships.

Australian Agriculture Counsellors play a crucial role in developing trade and relationships. The Committee has recommended that the Australian Government provide more funding to maintain and enhance the Agriculture Counsellor network in Southeast Asia; and provide additional resources to support the technical staff required to undertake negotiation and trade cooperation activities.

Collaboration with regional partners is vital to the food security of Southeast Asia, especially in the areas of biosecurity, sustainability and climate change. A range of Australian agencies and organisations already contribute to capability building in the agriculture sector of Southeast Asia across projects addressing multiple issues. This effort should be sustained and expanded. Central to this is the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), both as a facilitator of capability building and as an agent of Australia’s influence within the region. The Committee has recommended additional funding to ACIAR for its work in Southeast Asia.

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to this inquiry, and particularly acknowledge the contributions of the Ambassadors of the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of Thailand. The evidence presented allowed the Committee to fulfil its task of furthering the work set out in the Moore report. I also extend my thanks to my Committee colleagues for their work and engagement during the inquiry.

Meryl Swanson MP

Chair