Address to the Australian Wagyu Association Annual Conference, Brisbane

Good afternoon and thank you to Matt McDonagh and the entire Australian Wagyu Association team for having me here today.

It’s great to be back in Brisbane, and it’s great to join leaders from across our world-leading beef sector here at WagyuEdge 26.

Over the next few days, there will be a number of important, and productive discussions about the future of this great industry.

About how your industry can continue to grow, and support more jobs in our regions.

About how more of our world-class premium beef products can continue to be exported to more countries right around the globe.

And, of course, about how we can continue to navigate the challenges that Australia’s farmers, producers and exporters – those of you here in the room today – are experiencing from the conflict in the Middle East.

The Albanese Labor Government is backing your priorities – because we understand the enormous role our beef industry plays in our nation’s economy. 
Australia’s beef, particularly our wagyu, is in more demand than ever.

That’s due to its world-class quality, and the commitment to excellence from those of you here today.

Not only is Australia the world’s largest wagyu beef exporter, but beef is our largest agricultural export commodity, valued at over $16 billion in the last financial year.

That export value is set to grow even further by the end of this financial year – a testament again to your hard work, resilience, and your innovation.

Your work is backed by our Government’s work to diversify trade opportunities – by restoring our critical trade relationships, securing new market access, and improving existing market access.

More trade and the benefits this brings to our regions is something for us all to recognise, and to celebrate.

But it’s important that we start this afternoon by acknowledging that the events of recent weeks have placed new challenges on our farmers, producers and exporters.

The war in the Middle East is impacting globally, and its disruption continues to be felt here in Australia too.

That’s why our Government continues to work day and night with you – and right across our agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries – to keep Australia moving, including our beef production and our beef exports.

We have worked swiftly to support our farmers and producers with the immediate challenges – with fuel and fertiliser supply front of mind.

This includes getting more petrol, and importantly more diesel into our regional and rural communities by amending petrol and diesel standards, and by releasing up to 20 per cent of our strategic fuel reserve.

By reducing the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to zero for three months to keep our truckies delivering our food and fibre.

By strengthening actions for the ACCC, including doubling the penalties for false and misleading conduct, up to $100 million and ramping up ACCC fuel price monitoring.

By underwriting the purchase of fuel and fertiliser by the private sector to help get these critical inputs into Australia and to our farmers that need them.

Engaging with our international partners on arrangements for alternative fertiliser supply to support growers beyond the current planting season – with much of our urea supply typically coming from the Middle East.

Establishing a Fertiliser Supply Working Group – which is meeting weekly, and includes key government agencies, the National Farmers Federation, and Fertilizer Australia.

Working with industry to support the import of urea while maintaining our strong biosecurity standards.

And holding weekly industry briefings, including with those of you here today, to ensure our work is coordinated and collaborative.

With support continuing to be available year-round from the federal government to help keep our farmers farming.  

This includes through the additional $1 billion in concessional loan funding we’re delivering through the Regional Investment Corporation.

And through $2 million we recently unlocked through the Rural Financial Counselling Service.

We understand the importance of keeping our food production system strong.

This is not only critical for our domestic food security, but for helping to feed millions of people around the world – with around 80 per cent of our food production value exported each year.

That’s why we’ve taken these immediate actions, and why we will continue working with those of you here today and right across our agriculture industry to keep our supply chains moving.  

These actions build on the broader work of our Government to strengthen our domestic capabilities, and to boost our agricultural productivity.

This includes our $1.1 billion investment to develop production of low carbon liquid fuels right here in Australia.

This will offer a decarbonisation pathway for the critical industries that move our food and fibre, from heavy transport, aviation and shipping.

An investment that has been welcomed by stakeholders from across our agriculture industry, including the National Farmers’ Federation.

Construction of Australia’s largest urea plant continues to progress, supported by our $220 million loan to Perdaman through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.  

This facility is set to be operational next year, and will help kickstart a new multi-billion-dollar fertiliser industry here at home.  

We’re investing more than $300 million through our Climate-Smart Agriculture Program to support the development and roll-out of innovative technology that will help our farmers, including beef farmers, to boost their productivity.

And of course, development of our National Food Security Strategy, Feeding Australia, continues to progress.

The strategy will provide a long-term, whole-of-system plan to boost the productivity, resilience and security of our national food system.

It will help ensure Australia’s food production system continues to be strong – safeguarding the huge benefits that flow from this system.    

Your incredible industry – and the contribution it makes to our national economy highlights these benefits.  

As I said before, Australia now exports more wagyu beef to the world than any other country.  

More than Japan, more than the US.

Over $2 billion worth of our wagyu is sold and sent to Europe, to Asia, and to many nations around the world.

This national success story flows through regional Australia, enriching the communities where our world-class wagyu is produced.

From the limestone coast of South Australia, to Margeret River, the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, the Darling Downs of Queensland and Robbins Island in my home state of Tasmania.

This extraordinary reach shows again that every Australian has a stake in the success of our proud agriculture industry.

And I’m proud to be one of the many Australians that makes the most of the world-class wagyu beef available right here in our backyard.

Because whether it’s a mouthwatering steak, or a burger – wagyu beef and beef more broadly is huge part of Australia’s identity.  

That’s exactly why our Government works so hard every day to back the success of our farmers and producers.

And why our Government is working so hard right now to shield Australia’s farmers and producers from global challenges.  

Your industry is something every Australian can be so proud of.  

I wish you all the very best for both this event and the year ahead.