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Coalition promises national food security plan to cut costs and strengthen regional Australia, says David Littleproud

A Coalition government will deliver a National Food Security Plan to cut supply chain costs, support farmers, reduce supermarket prices, and strengthen regional communities through a $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund.

By news@gippsland - 24th April 2025 - Back to News

An elected Dutton-Littleproud Coalition government will support Australia's food producers to lower costs across the supply chain, by developing a comprehensive National Food Security Plan. In his address at the National Press Club today, Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the Department of Agriculture would be responsible for the Plan, with the support of an Industry Advisory Committee, and an interim report would be due within the first six months of government.

The Coalition's plan key actions is to protect farmland, boost biosecurity, fix workforce shortages, lower energy costs, invest in infrastructure, cut red tape, and ensure fair supermarket practices

Easing living costs

Mr Littleproud said, "Families are being forced to pay more at the supermarket checkout because manufacturing costs for food are higher. Under the Albanese Labor government, the cost of everything has gone up. The Coalition's Plan will make it easier for farmers and primary producers to run their businesses and ease cost-of-living pressures."

The Plan will be underpinned through a Coalition government's $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund, to grow local economies, build infrastructure and local facilities and deliver the essential services communities need, that are local and affordable.

Securing food future

The Plan's first actions include:

• Protecting food producing land and water - Stopping Labor's water buybacks and preventing Labor's reckless overbuild of industrial renewables and transmission lines
• Biosecurity - Legislating minimum funding for biosecurity, introducing import container levies, not taxing farmers to pay for the risk of importers
• Getting the workers Australia needs from paddock to plate - Reinstating the Agriculture Visa, reviewing the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme, investing in more apprentices and reversing damaging aspects of Labor's complex industrial relations reforms
• Cheaper, cleaner and consistent energy - Delivering a balanced energy mix that is 44 per cent cheaper than Labor's plan, establishing an East Coast Gas
• Reservation, delivering lower energy prices by decoupling and unlocking gas, investing in infrastructure to get gas where and when it is needed
• Advancing sovereign manufacturing capabilities - Establishing a $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund and developing a regional manufacturing roadmap
• Logistics - Delivering major investment in roads and key freight routes and getting the Inland Rail project moving again
• Slashing the regulatory burden on farmers and across the supply chain - Abolishing Scope 3 emissions reporting, fast tracking environmental assessment and approvals
• Fairness for farmers at the farmgate and families at the supermarket checkout - Legislating 'big stick' divestiture competition laws, tough new $2 million on-the-spot fines for supermarkets who do the wrong thing, establishing a Supermarket Commissioner to confidentially take up complaints, work with the ACCC to take action and stop exploitation and conduct random supermarket audits.

"The only way to bring prices down at the checkout is to put downward pressure on costs right along the supply chain. Only the Coalition has a meaningful plan to support our food producers, which will ensure stronger regional, rural and remote communities," Mr Littleproud said. Securing the food supply chain is part of the Coalition's plan to get Australia back on track.

Pictures from David Littleproud MP Instagram page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Nationals Leader Matt Canavan will tour Gippsland for two days, visiting major energy, forestry, manufacturing and agricultural businesses to discuss regional jobs, investment and industry challenges.
• Martin Cameron seeks government answers over delays threatening Latrobe Magnesium's commercial project and regional investment
  Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost.
• Gippsland Water upgrades Buckley's Hill basin to boost industrial reliability and strengthen emergency water supply resilience
  Gippsland Water has upgraded Morwell Buckley's Hill raw water basin, improving water reliability for industry, supporting the energy sector, and providing an emergency backup water source for residential customers during supply disruptions.
• Gippsland commuters stranded after V/Line services end early, prompting calls for reliable regional rail services
  Melina Bath criticised Gippsland rail disruptions after AFL fans were stranded following an early service cutoff, calling for reliable regional transport and promising 1,110 additional seats on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services.
• Darren Chester says Gippsland’s 15 suspected illicit tobacco store closures highlight organised crime concerns and calls for tobacco excise reform
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester says 15 suspected illicit tobacco store closures highlight organised crime concerns, advocating an 80 percent tobacco excise cut alongside stronger enforcement to combat the black market.
• Darren Chester says Gippsland’s 15 suspected illicit tobacco store closures highlight organised crime concerns and calls for tobacco excise reform
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester says 15 suspected illicit tobacco store closures highlight organised crime concerns, advocating an 80 percent tobacco excise cut alongside stronger enforcement to combat the black market.
• Moe’s first women’s cricket team makes history as $11M Ted Summerton Reserve upgrade boosts regional sport and accessibility
  Moe’s Ted Summerton Reserve has received an $11 million upgrade, delivering improved sporting facilities, accessibility and female-friendly change rooms ahead of the town’s first women’s cricket match. The project supported 370 jobs.
• Danny O'Brien says bushfire inquiry exposes Labor neglect, leaving CFA volunteers under-resourced for escalating firefighting challenges
  Danny O'Brien says a parliamentary bushfire inquiry confirms CFA volunteers face declining numbers, ageing equipment and inadequate support, urging Labor to implement recommendations before the next fire season.
• Gippsland students impress Darren Chester with their understanding of Australian democracy and government
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester praised St Mary’s Primary School Maffra students for their strong understanding of Australian democracy, Parliament and government during a recent civics visit and discussion.
• Bass Coast Shire Council seeks community feedback to shape safer roads through New Road Safety Strategy Plan until 10 September 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council is inviting residents to help shape its new Road Safety Strategy through community workshops and an online survey, aiming to reduce crashes and improve safety for all road users across the shire.
• Morwell’s Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park celebrates major $45M redevelopment and new regional sporting facilities
  Morwell’s Gippsland Sports and Entertainment Park celebrates a $45 million redevelopment, featuring five playing surfaces, 1,200 seats, upgraded facilities and new event spaces.
• Walhalla Museum launches virtual reality experience bringing gold mining history to life for visitors through new Regional Tourism upgrade project
  Walhalla Museum has launched a $50,000-funded virtual reality experience showcasing its gold mining history, with multilingual and accessible visitor facilities supported through the Victorian government's Tiny Towns Fund.
• Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
  Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi.
• Victorian Councils urge parties to preserve local choice in glass collection models and expand container deposit recycling benefits
  A coalition of 41 Victorian councils is urging major parties to preserve local choice in glass collection, expand container deposit recycling benefits and maximise recovery while minimising costs for communities.
• Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
  The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028.
• Gippsland Water invests $3.4M renewing ageing water and sewer infrastructure across regional communities
  Gippsland Water invested $3.4 million renewing ageing water and sewer assets, replacing 3.9 kilometres of water mains and relining 6.2 kilometres of sewer mains across Gippsland.
• Wellington Shire Council backs campaign seeking greater rural investment, improved roads, infrastructure funding and regional economic growth
  Wellington Shire Council is backing Rural Councils Victoria’s campaign for greater investment in rural infrastructure, including roads, community facilities and a proposed $1 billion regional productivity and growth fund.
• Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
  Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain.
• Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
  Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities.
• Ted Summerton Reserve upgrade marks major milestone for Moe’s sporting community and regional events
  Ted Summerton Reserve in Moe is undergoing major upgrades, including improved sporting facilities, accessibility, lighting and training infrastructure, boosting community participation, regional events and tourism across Latrobe City.
• Martin Cameron slams fresh Bank Street traffic light delays as environmental studies push project back again
  The Nationals have criticised the Victorian government after environmental studies and cultural heritage approvals were blamed for fresh delays to long-promised traffic lights at Traralgon Bank Street intersection, despite years of funding.
• Latrobe City Councillors recognised for years of dedicated service and commitment to local communities and regional leadership
  Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson received the Mayor Emeritus Award, while councillors Dale Harriman and Darren Howe marked 15 and 10 years of service. Council also secured adoption of five regional policy motions.
• Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
  The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment.
• Darren Chester urges Gippsland men to prioritise prostate cancer checks and highlights specialist nursing support for regional patients
  Gippsland MP Darren Chester is urging men to prioritise regular health checks and discuss prostate cancer risks with doctors, highlighting specialist nurses’ vital support for patients, families and regional communities.
• Seven Gippsland farmers markets to explore for fresh produce, local treats and delicious weekend breakfasts
  Gippsland’s seven farmers markets offer fresh local produce, seafood, baked treats, artisan goods and coffee, making weekend mornings delicious opportunities to meet growers and discover regional flavours.
• Gippsland Water backs biochar research to transform biosolids into sustainable soil health and waste management solutions
  Gippsland Water is supporting national research into converting wastewater biosolids into biochar, aiming to improve soil health, advance sustainable waste management, and assess contaminant destruction, including PFAS, through innovative recycling.
• State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre in Wonthaggi receives major flooring upgrade, enhancing accessibility, creativity and community connection
  Living Local Regional Fund support has upgraded Bass Coast’s historic State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts Centre, improving safety and accessibility while strengthening community programs, creativity, wellbeing, fitness and social connection.
• Victorian Landcare grants deliver $337,250 to support 40 community environmental projects across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland has received $337,250 through the 2026 Victorian Landcare Grants for 22 environmental projects and 18 support grants, backing koala habitat restoration, Tarwin River revegetation and community nature education initiatives.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community input on priorities and spending ahead of 2027/28 Budget Development and financial planning process
  Latrobe City Council is seeking community feedback to help shape its 2027/28 Budget, with residents encouraged to share priorities, ideas and concerns through Have Your Say by November 1.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• Working together to secure East Gippsland's water future through integrated water management
  East Gippsland CMA and regional partners are collaborating through Integrated Water Management to address climate, flooding, population growth, stormwater, recycled water and wetland protection challenges while planning sustainable projects.
• Gippsland Water installs filter-to-waste system to better protect Maffra drinking water from contamination risks
  Gippsland Water has installed a filter-to-waste system at Maffra treatment plant, improving drinking water protection, reducing supply disruptions, and strengthening resilience against pollution, storms, bushfires and other water quality events.
• Martin Cameron and Melina Bath heard Gippsland builders’ concerns, pledge reforms to improve housing affordability and supply
  Martin Cameron and Melina Bath met Gippsland builders to discuss housing affordability challenges, citing rising taxes, fees and planning delays. The Nationals and Liberals propose faster approvals, increased land supply and tax relief.
• New Flight Test Command Centre opens at Latrobe Airport, boosting advanced aviation jobs, investment and innovation
  A new Flight Test Range Command Centre at Latrobe Regional Airport has opened, supporting advanced aviation research, attracting investment, strengthening local businesses and creating new jobs across Gippsland.
• Four Gippsland students win Water Week Poster competition promoting conservation and sustainability
  Four young Gippsland artists have been recognised in Gippsland Water’s 2026 National Water Week poster competition, highlighting water conservation. Mirboo North Primary School won $500, while student Penelope placed third statewide.