Representing communities in northern Victoria and southern NSW, it says we need to get back to basics with local consultation and balanced decisions that protect our nation’s future food security.
Deputy chair David Farley said Speak Up welcomes the appointment of Murray Watt to the water portfolio, and said he hopes Senator Watt’s previous involvement as Minister for Agriculture (2022-2024) and Minister for Employment (2024-2025) have provided him with important background on the economic benefits of supporting Australia’s irrigated agriculture.
“Our region is a crucial food bowl that provides a significant economic contribution to the nation, but more importantly is a key factor in food security, which is fast becoming an issue that needs to be addressed,” Mr Farley said.
“We look forward to Senator Watt using his experience to drive policy that protects jobs in regional communities, and at the same time allows our farmers to grow food, in particular for domestic consumption.
“It is imperative that Australia reverses the trend of increasing our reliance on food imports to fill our supermarket shelves.
“We need policy that supports food production, so our farmers can supply fresh, clean produce that can be purchased at an affordable price.”
Mr Farley said water policy needs to have a focus on outcomes, not volumes.
Speak Up strongly opposes water buybacks, which were the water recovery priority of the previous Water Minister, describing them as “the lazy option that poses a significant threat to Australia’s food security”.
“We have a population compounding at a rate of 2.68 per cent a year, so it is only natural there is going to be an ongoing increase in the demand for food.
“At present this demand is being met by food imports, which have increased by $7 billion in the last two years, to just under $40 billion a year.
“Australians need to ask: Do we want world’s best quality fresh food grown by our own farmers, or do we want to continue increasing imports with little knowledge of the conditions under which that food is grown. Surely it’s an easy choice.
“Yet we have policy settings that are reducing our ability to grow food. That does not make sense. We should be growing as much food and fibre as we possibly can.”
Mr Farley said Speak Up is advocating for food security to be included in the 2026 Basin Plan review.
“With the right policy settings and common-sense decision making we can effectively use our water supplies to protect the environment and also put food on Aussie tables.
“Our regional communities look forward to building a relationship with Water Minister Watt, so we can work together and implement solutions that protect jobs, livelihoods, our environment and national food security.”
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