Australia’s food and grocery manufacturing industry has welcomed the new Gillard Government, with announcements from the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) and Australian Retailers Association, stating that they looked forward to working with the new government on a range of issues. Commenting on today’s decision by two Independent MPs to support Labor, AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said: “AFGC congratulates the new Gillard Government.” “It’s also encouraging to... ...Read more »

The Heart Foundation and National Stroke Foundation today expressed disappointment that neither major political party has offered a national action plan addressing Australia’s leading cause of death – cardiovascular disease. The two Foundations called on major parties to commit themselves to a comprehensive national action plan for this largely preventable disease, saying funds invested would reduce costs, save lives and ease the strain on hospitals. It would also reduce the incidence... ...Read more »

“There will be no new investments or priorities for Australia’s $137 billion-a-year farm sector under a Gillard Government,” is National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President David Crombie’s assessment of the Government’s Agricultural Policy released today. “Today’s media release from Agriculture Minister Tony Burke is not so much a policy as a summary statement with a rehash of announcements we’ve already seen in this election campaign. It is... ...Read more »

Federal minister for Agriculture Tony Burke today announced that an elected Labor government would introduce a National Food Plan, to examine food security, food quality, the affordability of food and the sustainability of food in Australia. The initiative would not require new funding, but instead come out of the Regional Food Producers Innovation and Productivity Program budget. “This is a first for Australia and will integrate all aspects of food policy by looking at the whole food chain, from... ...Read more »

The South Australian Liberal Opposition is the only party that has not made a clear and unequivocal election promise to extend the present ban on genetically manipulated (GM) crops for the term of the next government.”The ALP government, the Greens and Democrats all commit to ban commercial GM crops until 2014 at least” says Gene Ethics Director Bob Phelps. Mr Phelps applauds the parties who have promised to continue the ban on GM crops in South Australia.  He believes that being GM... ...Read more »

The Federal Government’s Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has announced a funding program for local governments to foster healthier lifestyles. The move is in line with preventative health measures. These measures include dietary education programs that are aimed at reducing the prevalence of obesity. Minister Roxon said, “The Rudd Government knows that the cost of inaction on chronic disease is too high. We know that cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes... ...Read more »