14 September 2026
The National Food Council (the Council) met on Monday, 14 September 2026. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Ms Victoria Anderson.
The Council acknowledged the evolving H5 bird flu situation and the ongoing conflict in the Middle-East.
The Council received an update on the development of the National Food Security Strategy (the Strategy) and considered priorities and next steps for its development. The Council discussed the factors affecting Australia's food security, and how the Strategy could respond to the challenges and opportunities impacting Australia’s food system.
The Council discussed the interconnected nature of Australia's food system and the range of factors that influence food security outcomes. The Council noted that priorities such as strong trade and supply chain relationships, equitable access to healthy and nutritious food and continued investment in productivity, sustainability, innovation and resilience would support Australia’s long term food security.
The Council will meet again in December 2026.
Attendees
- Dr Christopher Downs
- Mel Gatfield
- Simeon Gilding
- Barry Irvin AM
- Dr Liz Jackson
- Claire McClelland
- Su McCluskey
- Pat O’Shannassy
- David Stout
- Dr Tracy Sullivan
- Victoria Anderson, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Chair)
- Matt Lowe, Deputy Secretary, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy Group
- Joanna Stanion, First Assistant Secretary, Agriculture and Food Division
- Paul Denny, Assistant Secretary, Food Policy Branch
Apologies
- Dr Leisa McCarthy