By Adrian Black, AAP
As the cost-of-living crisis plunges more Australians into food insecurity, pressure is mounting on state and federal governments to take action.
About a third of almost 180 submissions to a Victorian inquiry into food security came from struggling families, Sustain: The Australian Food Network executive director Nick Rose said.
“The overwhelming message from those individuals is they’re struggling, cutting back on food, cutting back on the quality of food, having to choose between buying medication and feeding themselves,” Dr Rose told AAP.
“Also a lot of anger at the supermarkets – that was another really clear theme that came through.”
About one in three Australians faces moderate to severe food insecurity and tough choices at daily meals, the nation’s biggest food charity, Foodbank says.
The organisation’s Victorian hub had to launch an emergency food drive earlier in August to restock its shelves amid unprecedented demand and spiralling donations.
“Meanwhile, Victoria exports most of the food we grow,” Dr Rose said.
Nationally, Australia exports about 72 per cent of the food it produces, federal government data shows, with Victoria accounting for almost a quarter of agriculture production by gross value.
“Given our status as a net food exporter, combined with our wealth, it is an indictment of our food system that food insecurity is so high despite such abundant production,” Dr Rose said.
Sustain has made some 30 recommendations to the inquiry, including to launch a statewide food systems and security strategy and to appoint a minister to oversee it.
It also wants to see the creation of a $250 million to be funded through an extension of the existing payroll tax surcharge on big business.
“That financing mechanism already exists, and we see a clear and compelling case for a modest extension to effectively support community members and community organisations are already at the coalface of this crisis,” Dr Rose said.
Victoria’s Legal and Social Issues Committee will report on the inquiry in November, but Dr Rose had been historically disappointed by state and federal responses.
“At best, we see implementation of a few simple recommendations, alongside a ‘plan to make a plan’ refreshed every few years,” he said.
“At worst, they are shelved, with little engagement, and the omnipresent voices of advocates falling on unlistening ears.”
“We, and many others, demand that the state government take immediate and strong action to ensure a prosperous, healthy, sustainable, and just food system for all Victorians.”
