Image Upload


File size must be less than 2Mb

You must have online publishing permission or full ownership of this image

File types (jpg, png, gif)






  • Hero image
    David Littleproud.

AgLife: Make opportunities – David Littleproud

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has spoken of how Australian primary producers are in a position to stake their claim as providers of the best food in the world.

He said through adversity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia might also emerge as a world leader in supplying critical produce in difficult circumstances.

Mr Littleproud said government and industry leaders were working quickly to find ways of continuing supply into key markets – ‘to be able to provide secure food supply of the best food in the world to other nations. We produce enough food for 75 million. We oversupply, we’re only a nation of 25 million’.

“So here’s an opportunity, out of all this disaster, for Australian primary producers to actually stake their claim on the world stage of being able to provide the best produce in the world – but also – to be able to do it in tough times,” he said.



Article continues below


“So, we’re working through that as quickly as we can to make sure we can also maintain our international markets and expand them where the opportunities arise.”

Mr Littleproud was responding to questions by radio station 5AA’s Leon Brymer, who also asked about domestic supply chains and getting produce from warehouses and onto shelves in shops.

“Well, it’s just plain stupidity what is happening out there in supermarkets,” Mr Littleproud said.

“There are old ladies getting pushed over to get the last piece of meat, or the next toilet roll; it’s absolute stupidity.

“The reality is there is no strain about us being able to supply supermarkets and the Australian people with groceries.

“The only strain that is coming is from the stupidity of a few that are bulk buying – and meaning that we are now having to change local laws to allow trucks to be able to get in to these supermarkets at all hours of the day, taking away curfews, where they were quietly doing it in hours that weren’t impinging on our ability to sleep at night and do the right thing. 

“We are now having to change local laws to be able to get trucks in to stop this stupidity. 

“Australians can do this by themselves, calmly get on with it – like Australian farmers are.

“Australian producers are just calmly going about their business, producing the best food and fibre in the world and we are looking at this in making sure that we secure Australia’s security, food security. But also an opportunity to grow our sector further, globally.

“We are well positioned, not only as a sector, but as a nation because of the work that our men and women do on those paddocks out there, producing the best food and fibre in the world.”

Mr Littleproud also responded to questions about fuel supply and prices.

“Our fuel supplies are better than what they have been because there’s an abundance,” he said.

“Obviously, there’s less use of it at the moment, we are obviously monitoring it, but this is one of the things in contingency planning.

“Government, state and federal level, are working together to make sure all levels of continuity for our economy and for our nation continues.

“Our society continues on, we’ve looked at all the essentials, whether they be groceries, whether they be fuel, all the way through electricity, water, making sure the essentials of life are there and we are best placed than any other nation in the world and we should be damn proud of that rather than allowing panic and social media overtake common sense.

“That’s all we’re asking the Australian people now, is to show some common sense.”

The entire March 25, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire March 25, 2020 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!