AUSVEG welcomes Julie Collins MP as Australia’s new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. 

The peak industry body for Australia’s $5.8 billion vegetable, potato and onion industry looks forward to working with Minister Collins and building on the constructive relationships developed with the previous Minister, Senator Murray Watt.

“On behalf of the vegetable industry, AUSVEG welcomes Minister Collins to the crucial role of Minister for Agriculture, and extends its warm congratulations,” said AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

AUSVEG also acknowledges and welcomes the appointment of Senator Anthony Chisholm as Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

“We look forward to working constructively with Minister Collins and Senator Chisholm, and building on our record of strong engagement with the Government to help secure the long term-sustainability of Australia’s crucial vegetable sector,” said Mr Coote.

These appointments come at a pivotal time for Australia’s vegetable industry, which is facing significant ongoing challenges, as well as opportunities to capitalise on.

“High costs-of-production, challenges securing sustainable farmgate prices, and labour shortages are among the key issues threatening the viability of many vegetable farming businesses, and contributing to more than a third of growers considering walking away,” said Mr Coote.

“Amid these challenges there are opportunities to boost the sustainability of vegetable farming businesses, improve productivity, lift declining vegetable consumption and further develop domestic and international markets.

“AUSVEG is eager to work with Minister Collins and Senator Chisholm to progress positive initiatives to improve the short, medium and long-term outlook of our sector which supports many thousands of jobs in rural, regional and metropolitan Australia, and which produces the fresh vegetables that are crucial to the health of Australians, and national food security.

“In welcoming the new appointments, AUSVEG also congratulates Senator Murray Watt on his appointment as Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and thanks him for his efforts and engagement with the Australian vegetable industry during his time in the Agriculture portfolio.

“We also look forward to continuing to work with Minister Watt in his new portfolio, particularly in relation to addressing the workforce shortages confronting Australian vegetable farming businesses.”