List of recommendations

Recommendation 1

2.56The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in consultation and cooperation with State and Territory Governments, relevant industries, sectors and the community, develop a comprehensive National Food Plan providing for the food security, including nutritional security, of the nation and its people. The National Food Plan must have clear objectives and measurable targets set out in regular updates and action plans, and subject to regular review.

Recommendation 2

2.57The Committee recommends that the Australian Government appoint a Minister for Food, within the portfolio of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, with responsibility for the development and implementation of the National Food Plan, regular monitoring and updating of the plan, and accountability for achieving outcomes and targets under the plan.

Recommendation 3

2.58The Committee recommends that the Australian Government appoint a National Food Council, made up of industry and community experts, to advise the Minister for Food on matters pertaining to the food system, and support the development, implementation, monitoring and evolution of the National Food Plan. The National Food Council is to be supported by expert committees covering sectors including but not limited to:

production;

transport and logistics;

retail;

health and nutrition;

defence;

education;

access to food;

environmental sustainability;

waste management; and

Indigenous communities.

Recommendation 4

3.134The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, as part of the National Food Plan, and in conjunction with industry, develop a specific strategy for reinvigorating the Australian dairy industry, one which lifts profitability and production while addressing the economic and environmental sustainability of the industry, and identifies the resources and pathways required to achieve this.

Recommendation 5

3.135The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, 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.

Recommendation 6

3.136The Committee recommends that the Australian Government:

make the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct mandatory;

review the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 to ensure fair practices between different actors in the food supply chain and prevent unconscionable conduct; and

institute regular Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reviews of perishable food supply chains.

Recommendation 7

3.137The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, as part of the National Food Plan, develop a specific strategy for expanding innovation and value adding in food production, with a view to enhancing commercial opportunities for Australian industry and enhancing food security.

Recommendation 8

3.138The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, as part of the National Food Plan, develop mechanisms to promote innovation in food production.

Recommendation 9

4.66The Committee recommends the Australian Government, in conjunction with State and Territory Governments and industry, develop agriculture job hubs and a regional network engagement and implementation plan.

Recommendation 10

4.67The Committee recommends the Australian Government, in conjunction with State and Territory Governments and local government, explore options for the development of urban agriculture, in particular as a means for developing skills and encouraging careers in agriculture.

Recommendation 11

4.68The Committee recommends the Australian Government, in conjunction with industry, review current administration and reporting requirements for seasonal and harvest work employers, with the view to reducing the administrative burden and making use of overseas labour more accessible.

Recommendation 12

4.69The Committee recommends the Australian government support the development and expansion of the domestic production and manufacturing of essential inputs, such as fertiliser and agricultural chemicals.

Recommendation 13

4.70The Committee recommends the Australian Government, in conjunction with State, Territory and Local governments, develop a strategic plan to protect agricultural land from urban sprawl and utilisation for non-agricultural purposes.

Recommendation 14

5.107The Committee recommends that as part of the development of a National Food Plan, the Australian Government coordinate with industry in the development of a National Food Supply Chain Map, identifying:

where products are grown or produced and in what quantity;

how they are transported;

where they are processed;

what the major transport routes are;

the main centres for the collection and distribution of product;

where transport routes are vulnerable; and

what happens if they are cut.

This map should also identify key inputs and vulnerabilities to lack of supply.

The Australian Government should consider options for technical innovation in the collection, access to and dissemination of this information and data.

Recommendation 15

5.108The Committee recommends that as part of the development of a National Food Plan, the Australian Government develop a transport resilience plan focussed on food security, including the optimal location of distribution centres.

Recommendation 16

5.109The Committee recommends that the Australian Government implement the recommendations of the Productivity Commission calling for the repeal of Part X of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the development of a mandatory container terminal operator code.

Recommendation 17

5.110The Committee recommends that the Australian Government review the mandatory port code covering grain ports.

Recommendation 18

5.111The Committee recommends that the Australian Government incorporate measures to eliminate food waste into the proposed National Food Plan, including:

A national public education campaign aimed at the elimination of household food waste.

Repurposing food waste—for example as animal feed or processed food.

Supporting food donation.

Establishing regional food hubs.

Better management of the cold chain.

Improving data sharing across the food supply chain.

Increasing federal funding for the food relief sector.

Creating a circular economy.

Recommendation 19

5.112The Committee recommends that the Australian Government provide an incentive through the tax system for those who donate food or related services, based on the Food Waste Tax Incentive developed by KPMG and the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre.

Recommendation 20

5.113The Committee recommends that the Australian Government work with industry to develop a viable system for the recovery and recycling of plastic packaging.

Recommendation 21

5.114The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in conjunction with the food industry, review the application of ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates on food, and consider the use of QR codes on packaging to provide relevant information to consumers.

Recommendation 22

5.115The Committee recommends that the Australian Government develop and fund a research program focussed on the development of a circular food economy.

Recommendation 23

6.102The Committee recommends that the Australian Government support early adopters of emissions reduction technologies in agriculture through the mechanism of notices of intent, to ensure they remain eligible for Australian Carbon Credit Units under the Emissions Reduction Fund.

Recommendation 24

6.103The Committee recommends that the Australian Government work with industry and other stakeholders to develop standard definitions of natural capital and develop natural capital markets.

Recommendation 25

6.104The Committee recommends that the Australian Government develop a funding stream for long-term, public-interest RD&E which promotes the environmental sustainability of agricultural production.

Recommendation 26

6.105The Committee recommends that the Australian Government work with State and Territory Governments to ensure the financial viability of landscape restoration projects either through co-contributions from government or grant funding that defrays the development costs.

Recommendation 27

6.106The Committee recommends that the Australian Government develop a public education campaign to inform people of their biosecurity responsibilities and what they can do to protect the food system from possible incursions, with a focus on individuals or organisations interacting with Australia’s international borders.

Recommendation 28

6.107The Committee recommends that the Australian Government ensure that funding for biosecurity reflects the responsibilities and benefits of biosecurity for all stakeholders and the importance of biosecurity to the nation as a whole.

Recommendation 29

7.69The Committee recommends that the Australian Government conducts surveys of household food insecurity every 3 years using the United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) as a model.

Recommendation 30

7.70The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in conjunction with the State and Territory Governments, develop a school curriculum for food and nutrition education, including the universal development of basic cooking skills.

Recommendation 31

7.71The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in conjunction with the State and Territory Governments, consider the feasibility of introducing a schools meals program.

Recommendation 32

7.72The Committee recommends that the Australian Government develops protocols that allow the Australian Research Council and the National Health and Medical Research Council to cross fund research examining food, health and nutrition.

Recommendation 33

7.73The Committee recommends that as part of the development of a National Food Plan, the Australian Government facilitate the development of:

Improved nutritional and dietary guidance.

Community projects designed to improve localised food systems and food security.

Supply networks aimed at local production, procurement, distribution and sale of fresh and nutritious food, especially by institutions such as hospitals, aged-care facilities and schools.

Programs aimed to educate groups within communities about affordable, options to access (or grow), prepare, cook and share nutritious food.

Recommendation 34

7.74The Committee recommends that as part of the development of a National Food Plan, the Australian Government:

Recognize the special circumstances of remote communities, including Indigenous communities, in the food supply chain.

Make provision for a more decentralised model of distribution in regions containing remote communities.

Acknowledge community stores as an essential community service.

Provide subsidies for community stores in remote locations so they can provide fresh food in regular quantities at an affordable price.

Amend the funding and governance of the Remote Air Services Subsidy Scheme to prioritise the efficient and affordable delivery of fresh fruit and vegetable to wet-season impacted communities.

Recommendation 35

7.75The Committee recommends that the Australian Government assess progress towards implementing the recommendations made in the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs’ 2020 report on food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities.