Address to the National Bush Summit

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[Acknowledgments omitted]

What a pleasure it is to be here in Dubbo, one of Australia’s premier agricultural hubs.

The locals in the room understand just how important your contributions are to our regions.  

When you visit places like this, you are reminded that Australian agriculture is far more than an industry.  

It is the foundation of many regional economies, the backbone of local communities, and a source of national pride.

Across the country, farmers, growers, producers and processors work every day to provide the food and fibre that Australians rely on and that partners around the world value and trust.

The success of Australian agriculture has always been built on the resilience and determination of the people behind it.

That resilience has never been more important.

Around the world, we are seeing increasing uncertainty.  

Global conflicts continue to affect supply chains and markets.

Climate challenges are becoming more frequent and more complex.  

New biosecurity risks are emerging as international trade and travel continue to grow.

But despite these challenges, Australian agriculture continues to demonstrate remarkable strength.

This year, our farmers and producers achieved an extraordinary milestone, surpassing $100 billion in agricultural production, four years ahead of expectations.

That achievement belongs to the farmers, producers and agribusinesses who have invested, innovated and adapted in the face of constant change.

It also reflects the importance of strong partnerships between industry and government.

Our Government has been laser focused on creating the conditions for long-term success.  

We have worked to strengthen biosecurity, open and diversify export markets, support research and innovation, and build resilience across our food production systems.

Because the task ahead is not simply to protect what we have built.

It is to prepare Australian agriculture for the opportunities of the future.

Of course, part of that preparation is about making sure that we are ready for what comes next.  

And for parts of our country, that may well be drought.  

Many farmers across Australia have experienced challenging drought conditions in recent years, including here in New South Wales.

We are all also aware that the industry is closely monitoring what the El Niño event will mean for them on the ground.  

Advice from the Bureau of Meteorology is that the event is likely to be strong and expected to persist until at least summer.  

Farmers face uncertainty every day, balancing a range of risks from weather, market fluctuations, and disruptions to supply chains.

That’s why, since we’ve come to Government we’ve invested more than $1.3 billion in rural support and resilience measures.  

And of course, I was with the Prime Minister at last year’s Bush Summit when he announced our Government would deliver an additional $1 billion in new loan funding through Regional Investment Corporation.

Through RIC low-cost loans, Australian farmers and farm-related small businesses have saved around $432 million in interest payments.

This includes around $34 million in the first half of 2026 alone – backed of course by our work to maintain RIC’s concessional loans.  

And acknowledging some farmers have faced prolonged drought conditions, our Government launched the new Drought Hardship Loan in March 2026.    

The Loan provides short-term financial relief in the form of concessional loans up to $250,000 over 5 years to assist with essential operating costs while farmers continue managing drought impacts and planning for recovery.  

Of course, Australia is now also facing the challenge of H5 bird flu in our wildlife.

I do want to reiterate that there have been no detections of H5 bird flu in our agriculture or poultry systems.

But we need to remain vigilant, which is why we’ve been working closely with our farmers, our producers, and with our agriculture industry.

We know that strong biosecurity remains our strongest line of defence.

And our Government, together with the states and territories, is doing everything we can to make a difference and to prepare.

Our Government has invested over $113 million to strengthen our preparedness and response capability to H5 bird flu.

This includes funding for rapid response equipment in states and territories, and strengthening on-ground biosecurity.  

This is on top of more than $24 million being delivered with states and territories right now to support immediate response activities.

And we’ll of course continue working with our agriculture industry, our wildlife and technical experts at every stage of our H5 response.

Now all of us here today know that the next chapter of Australian agriculture will be driven by innovation, sustainability and productivity.

It will be built through new technology, improved efficiency and continued collaboration between industry and government.

Australia’s farmers and producers have always been proud innovators.

We see this success every day...

... from the paddock to the plates of the world’s best restaurants.

... and from shearing sheds to supermarket shelves across the globe.

Our Government has worked tirelessly since coming to office to back the innovation and ingenuity of Australia’s farmers and producers so they can continue to succeed.

And we’ve seen what this close collaboration can achieve.

A $100 billion industry meeting its goals years ahead of schedule.

And just like our proud farmers and producers, we’re not a Government that sits back and rests on our laurels.

That’s why we are determined to keep working with farmers and producers, delivering more opportunities, so we can continue to succeed, together.

And I’m proud to say we’re taking another step forward today with the launch of our National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy.  

This strategy is about helping our agriculture industry and our regional communities seize the economic opportunities that come with producing feedstocks.  

It follows extensive feedback, contributions and support from a broad spectrum across industry.

And I thank those of you that participated in this important process.

The Strategy recognises Australia’s unique position globally to meet growing demand for feedstock, and the significant economic opportunities this will deliver for producers and regional Australia.

This underscores why our Government’s work is so important, helping support regional jobs and economies.

The fact is, Australia already produces world-class agricultural and forestry commodities, such as canola, that are supporting bioenergy production overseas.  

As Australia works towards a lower-emissions future, bioenergy - including low carbon liquid fuels - can not only reduce emissions but strengthen our fuel security domestically.  

Drawing on significant input from stakeholders across the supply chain, the Strategy provides a shared direction for governments, industry and producers to work together to support sustainable growth of Australia’s feedstock industry.

It identifies priority areas for collective action, including improving market ready data, supporting innovation, strengthening regional supply chains, building credible sustainability and certification systems, and improving sector capability.

These foundations will support the industry to grow in a way that complements food, fibre and forestry production, maintains community confidence and maximises opportunities for producers and regional communities.

And of course, this work will be complemented by our National Food Security Strategy, Feeding Australia, which we continue to develop.  

Today’s announcement follows the opening of consultation from last week on options to support the development of a domestic low carbon liquid fuels industry.  

And this is of course backed by our more than $1 billion investment in low carbon liquid fuels.

Building new domestic capabilities has been a key focus of our response to the war in the Middle East, which is impacting globally.

That’s why our broader $14 billion Strengthening Australia’s Fuel Resilience package isn’t just focused on helping today, but on reducing Australia’s exposure to global shocks into the future.  

This includes increasing our domestic fuel reserves and looking at how we can expand our domestic refining capabilities.

Our Government is proudly embracing the development of a domestic low carbon liquid fuels industry, and the opportunities this will deliver for our farmers.

Peak bodies like the National Farmers Federation, the Australian Institute of Petroleum, and the Australian Sugar Manufacturers...

... Bio-energy Australia, the Australian Trucking Association, and the Australian Airports Association...  

... And Airlines for Australia and New Zealand have all agreed that more biofuels are good for Australia’s future.

But the same cannot be said for the party that says it represents farmers and the regions.

It was very disappointing to see the Nationals talk down the opportunities of our biofuel industry and the benefits it will bring to our farming communities across the country.  

But, this is sadly what the Nationals have become.

Last week the Nationals just reverted to rolling out a tired scare campaign.

Let me assure you, our Government is focussed on one campaign: backing our farmers and producers to grab the opportunities of the future.  

The future of our sector will be built by the people in this room and communities like yours right across the country.

Together, we can ensure Australia remains the world's most trusted supplier of premium food and fibre. 

That is a future worth investing in. 

And it is a future our Government is proud to build alongside you. 

Thank you.