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A new Agriculture and Food Security portfolio will make food security a core focus of a Liberal Nationals Coalition Government, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said today.
Mr Walsh said the new Food Security portfolio would ensure food producers received the support, recognition and investment that they deserved.
“Under a Coalition Government food security will be given the highest importance at a ministerial level and at the Cabinet table, alongside portfolios such as health and education,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Coalition is committed to providing a greater investment of resources, backed by policies, to support our food producing communities.
“We have already announced that we will create a Regional Advisory Group that will not only provide advice on regional development but will also ensure government legislation and regulations take the needs of all Victorian food producing communities into account.
“We will also place a greater emphasis on educating consumers and young people in schools about where food comes from.”
Mr Walsh said over the past 11 years Labor had undermined food producers by adopting policies that compromised food security, and by failing to meet its own targets on food and fibre production.
“The Brumby Government has shown contempt for food producers,” Mr Walsh said.
“John Brumby is sending irrigation water to Melbourne, he has axed funding and staff for vital research and development and is strangling food producers in red tape.
“Food and fibre exports have slumped to $6.7 billion since Labor was re-elected in 2006, a long way from the $12 billion it promised by 2010.
“During that time the government has produced at least three food strategies, and is working on another one in an attempt to cover up its failure to meet its election commitments.
“Victorian food producers deserve more than meaningless platitudes and strategies.
“A Coalition Government will provide Victoria’s food producers with policy that supports them and a Minister who understands them,” Mr Walsh said.

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