Sustain calls for the creation of a $250mn Food Systems and Food Security Fund to tackle the food poverty crisis in Victoria

The cost of living crisis is hurting hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Victorians. This includes growing numbers of people in work. People who've never had to access emergency food relief before. 

That so many Victorians are food insecure in a state as wealthy as Victoria - in a country as wealthy as Australia - is an outrage. 

Today we made our submission to the Legal and Social Issues Committee, which is conducting an Inquiry into the impacts and drivers of food poverty and food insecurity in Victoria, as well as measures to tackle food affordability. 

It is vital that our politicians engage deeply and seriously with this critically-important issue that is causing harm and suffering to so many. 

We call on the Victorian government to take a comprehensive range of measures to tackle food insecurity, beginning with the creation of a state-wide Food Systems and Food Security Strategy. 

How can this be funded? We call on the State government to extend the existing Payroll Tax Surcharge, and / or a targeted land tax, to finance the creation of a substantial ($250mn pa +) Food Systems and Food Security Fund, to address the immediate food security crisis in Victoria, and lay the foundations for a healthy and sustainable food system to ensure that everyone has access to good food, at all times. 

Download our full submission here