New Parliamentary inquiry – The role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asia

THE Australian Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has today commenced an inquiry into the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets and is calling for submissions from interested stakeholders.

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson MP, said the Australian Government had prioritised a deepening engagement with Southeast Asia, and noted from the recently released Invested: Australia’s Southeast Economic Strategy to 2040 that Southeast Asia was at the centre of global growth and remained a development and economic success story.

"Agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining the region’s economic growth," Ms Swanson said. "With its continuing population growth, rapid urbanisation, rising incomes and increasing food security requirements, Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing markets for Australian agricultural exports."

The committee will examine the role of Australian agriculture in Southeast Asian markets in the context of the recommendations in the economic strategy. It will focus on how Australian agriculture can support Southeast Asia’s food security, improving market access and trade systems, and building capability in the region to improve agricultural sustainability, technology and innovation.

The committee is also interested in identifying new mechanisms and emerging opportunities and challenges for Australian agriculture to address key priorities in the Southeast Asia region.

"The strategy identified agriculture and food as one of the ten key sectors offering the most potential for greater commercial activity between Australia and Southeast Asia," Ms Swanson said.

Submissions to the inquiry will be open until May 31, 2024. Further information, including the Terms of Reference can be found on the Committee’s website.

 

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