The VOTE FOR FOOD pledge

Australia produces enough food to feed 60 million people, yet prices are soaring, farmers are struggling, and food insecurity is rising. 81% of Australians have identified cost-of-living as a factor that will influence their vote in the 2025 Federal election, with 62% concerned about grocery prices.

Currently, food policy is fragmented across government departments, causing contradictions, inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Our food system faces many threats, including climate change, the supermarket duopoly, loss of fertile farmland due to urban sprawl and geopolitical instability threatening supply chains.

In short, we’ve taken our food system – and our farmers – for granted for far too long. Taking our food system seriously is now an urgent national task.

The VOTE FOR FOOD campaign calls for leaders to commit to five key demands:

1. Effective Food System Governance: Create a food system that is transparent, fair, and coordinated across Local, State, and Federal sectors. Countries like Canada, Brazil, France, and the UK already have integrated food governance.
2. Support Farmers in Sustainable Transitions: Acknowledge that farmers are calling for support to adopt sustainable practices that protect nature and ensure food security.
3. Support First Nations Foodways: Honour and integrate Indigenous food practices into the broader system.
4. Localise the Food System: Reduce dependency on national supply chains by supporting local food systems.
5. Fund Dignified, Sustainable Food Relief: Ensure food relief is equitable and addresses the root causes of insecurity.

Australia must act now to create a fair, sustainable food system for all. By signing this pledge, I’m standing up for these goals—and committing to vote for leaders who will do the same.