The Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has made 13 recommendations following an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets. The inquiry examined ways to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia in food and agriculture with reference to Invested: Australia’s Southeast Economic Strategy to 2040 (the Moore report).

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 27 November 2024

The Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has made 13 recommendations following an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets. The inquiry examined ways to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia in food and agriculture with reference to Invested: Australia’s Southeast Economic Strategy to 2040 (the Moore report). Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said: ‘The Moore report emphasised the significance of Australia’s relationship with Southeast Asia at an economic level, but urged us to look beyond trade to a broader and more closely integrated relationship with the region.’ ‘Australia has an important role to play in the food security of Southeast Asia through food exports and by building agriculture and food production capability in the region. Australian technology and production systems also have much to offer the region. Long-term investment in regional relationships will be vital to progressing both trade and regional collaboration,’ Ms Swanson said. In addition to supporting the recommendations of the Moore report, the Committee has recommended: resourcing agencies to implement trade agreements and address non-tariff barriers; making a long-term commitment to the Southeast Asia Business Exchange program; maintaining and enhancing the Agriculture Counsellor network; reinstating and resourcing the Agri-Business Expansion Initiative and the Agriculture Trade and Market Access Cooperation program; increasing the resources available for regional collaboration on biosecurity; and providing additional funding to ACIAR for its work in Southeast Asia. The Committee further supports the establishment of the Australian Agricultural Partnership and the extension of the PALM scheme to Southeast Asia. Over the course of the inquiry, the Committee held seven public hearings and received 28 written submissions from industry, government and other interested stakeholders. The Committee’s full report can be found on the inquiry webpage. Media enquiries Kim Latham, Media Adviser, Office of Meryl Swanson MP Meryl.Swanson.MP@aph.gov.au 0431 210 850 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4500 agriculture.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has commenced an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets and is calling for submissions from interested stakeholders.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 29 February 2024

The Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has today commenced an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets and is calling for submissions from interested stakeholders. Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson MP, said the Australian Government has prioritised a deepening engagement with Southeast Asia, and noted from the recently released Invested: Australia’s Southeast Economic Strategy to 2040 that Southeast Asia is at the centre of global growth and is a development and economic success story. ‘Agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining the region’s economic growth. With its continuing population growth, rapid urbanisation, rising incomes and increasing food security requirements, Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing markets for Australian agricultural exports,’ said Ms Swanson. The Committee will examine the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets in the context of the recommendations in the economic strategy. It will focus on how Australian agriculture can support Southeast Asia’s food security, improving market access and trade systems, and building capability in the region to improve agricultural sustainability, technology and innovation. The Committee is also interested in identifying new mechanisms and emerging opportunities and challenges for Australian agriculture to address key priorities in the Southeast Asia region. Ms Swanson said, ‘the strategy identified agriculture and food as one of the ten key sectors offering the most potential for greater commercial activity between Australia and Southeast Asia.’ Submissions to the inquiry will be open until 31 May 2024. Further information, including the Terms of Reference can be found on the Committee’s website. Media enquiries Belinda McNab, Media Adviser, Office of Meryl Swanson MP Meryl.Swanson.MP@aph.gov.au 0407 655 594 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4500 agriculture.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.