In election mode: Labor actually mentioned the food industry (indirectly)

In a media release titled ‘Labor’s fair go for farmers’, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Joel Fitzgibbon said, “We will implement a set of common sense measures that support farmers and help them get on with what they do best - producing food for Australians and our export markets.”

The Labor government has funding for the following included in the Budget:

• Appoint an independent mediator to negotiate a Food and Grocery Code of Conduct if industry parties are unable to reach agreement by the end of 2013. The mediator will be tasked with bringing the supermarkets, processors and farmers to the table to finalise a code that ensures fairness across the food supply chain.
• In partnership with the National Farmers’ Federation and its members, develop a set of standardised contracts for produce supply so individual farm businesses can be confident of getting a fair price for their products with wholesalers and retailers.
• Have the National Register of Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land operational by 1 July 2014, commencing with a comprehensive stocktake of existing overseas ownership.

“A food and grocery code has been an empty plate on the table for too long,” Minister Fitzgibbon said.

“Instituting a code will deliver greater transparency for everyone involved in the food supply chain, from dairy farmers and fruit growers to producers and consumers.

“The code combined with the development of standardised contracts will give our farmers a better starting point to negotiate a fair price for their product.”

Minister Fitzgibbon said the delivery of a comprehensive register of foreign-owned agricultural land would clarify the facts in what has been an emotive and political debate.