The Red Meat Advisory Council, Australia’s red meat supply chain advisory group, has welcomed the new-look Morrison-McCormack federal ministry and has urged the cabinet to continue its focus on meaningful policy reform and stability for employment and economic growth.

RMAC chair Don Mackay said policy security and a continued agenda of investment is key to Australia’s red meat producers, lotfeeders, livestock exporters, manufacturers and retailers.

“Our industry supports 405,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributes $18 billion to Australia’s economy and represents 75,000 small, medium and large businesses across the food chain,” Mr Mackay said.

“Whether a Federal Election is next month or next year, we urge our new-look Cabinet to be mindful that achieving key investment and policy reform is always absolutely vital.

“Only with whole-of-government reform can our industry achieve our ambitious goal of unlocking $7-billion in growth and we hope the Morrison Government shares our vision.”

In February 2018 RMAC launched Feeding Our Nation 2018, which identified a 26 key actions government can deliver across Expanding Trade & Investment, Better Policy Settings, Supply Chain Collaboration & the Wellbeing of People & Livestock.

Mr Mackay welcomed key new members of Cabinet and said drought conditions being experienced in many regions highlighted the need for long-term policy approaches for trade, climate, energy and regional infrastructure.

“We congratulate the new Minister for Trade, Tourism & Investment, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, the Minister for the Environment the Hon Melissa Price MP and the Minister for Energy the Hon Angus Taylor MP,” he said.

“We look forward to working with Minister Birmingham on a progressive trade reform agenda for our 120 plus export markets, with Minister Price on recognising and rewarding the role our supply chain – particularly our farmers – play in managing environmental outcomes and Minister Taylor on putting in place a long-term plan for energy affordability and security.

“We also welcome the Regional Development ministry being absorbed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure & Development, the Hon Michael McCormack MP; and the appointment of Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck as the Assistant Minister for Agriculture.

“We have identified a supply chain reform opportunity through the National Freight & Supply Chain Strategy to unlock an additional $750 million in growth and add up to 4000 extra jobs with the right investment and policy reform in our regions.”

Mr Mackay also thanked key outgoing members of the Ministry.

“In particular, we thank the new Minister for Defence Industry Steven Ciobo for his work in the trade portfolio and acknowledge these key reforms including the Foreign Policy White Paper, the Peru-Australian Free Trade Agreement, the TPP11 and the launch of negotiations for the European-Australia Free Trade Agreement.”

Source: RMAC