Dr Webster said farmers, dealing with skyrocketing fuel and fertiliser costs, should be eligible.
“Mallee farmers have been approaching me very concerned they’ve been left out of the program, and I approached the Shadow Ministry team to put the spotlight on it,” she said.
“Leader of the Nationals Matt Canavan and shadow ministers for agriculture Darren Chester, and industry, Andrew Hastie, have hit out at Labor’s lack of concern and clarity for our farmers.”
Dr Webster said farmers were already doing it tough, and it was only getting worse while facing a fuel crisis.
“Primary producers are paying more to run their machinery and more for the inputs that grow our food and fibre, but unlike others in the supply chain they have no way to pass these costs on,” she said.
“Labor expects them to absorb that burden while others can adjust their prices or add a margin. It’s not a level playing field. If we don’t stand behind our farmers, we put our food supply at risk, and that leaves Australian families exposed.”
Mr Chester said it appeared farmers had missed out completely under the scheme.
“Key industry groups are already warning that further disruptions to fuel and fertiliser supplies could lead to shortages and higher prices for Australian families and the agricultural sector can’t keep absorbing all the extra costs,” he said.
“Labor should be doing everything it can to ensure our agriculture industry is protected from more shocks during this crisis. This is about our nation’s food security and our ability to feed Australian families and maintain our exports to other nations which rely on our food.”
Mr Chester said the increasingly uncertain global environment had strengthened the case to fast-track a National Food Security Strategy and elevate food and fibre security as a matter of national importance.
“When it comes to food security, it’s time to take this issue more seriously and recognise its link to national security in an increasingly uncertain world,” he said.
“As a nation, we produce more than enough food for domestic consumption, but the agricultural sector relies heavily on imported inputs like fuel, fertiliser and pesticides which have been severely disrupted by the current crisis.”
As part of the National Reconstruction Fund, $5-billion is for a Net Zero Fund – open to new manufacturing investment and energy‑efficiency upgrades in hard‑to‑abate sectors, building domestic clean‑energy supply chains and supporting the manufacture of low-emissions technologies such as wind, solar and energy storage solutions.
There is also a $150-million Forestry Growth Fund, open to support timber processing for housing construction and for investment in mills and processing facilities.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins said the government was providing much needed confidence for the agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries through the funding streams.
“The $1-billion Economic Resilience Program is an investment in more secure supply chains for Australia’s world-class farmers and producers, which I know is critical,” she said.
“This investment will complement work already underway through our government’s development of the National Food Security Strategy.”
A spokesperson for Mr Ayres said the program would provide zero-interest loans to manufacturing and logistics businesses in the supply chain impacted by market disruptions including fuel, plastics and fertiliser.
“Global instability and conflict are disrupting international supply chains, pushing up costs and creating uncertainty for Australian agriculture,” she said.
“The Economic Resilience Program will keep our trucks moving, and products like fuel, plastics and fertiliser flowing to where they’re needed most – alleviating pressures on farmers that rely on these critical products.
“The Albanese government is continuing to back farmers through deferral of the phased transition to full cost recovery for export regulatory services, the creation of the Fertiliser Supply Working Group, and providing ongoing hardship support.”
The entire April 29, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
The entire April 29, 2026 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!
