THE ENGINE ROOM OF AUSTRALIA
Make it stand out
Australia’s food and fibre sector is a true powerhouse—worth more than $250 billion a year and employing over 600,000 people. At the heart of this success lies the Murray-Darling Basin, the irrigated regions that produce 85% of our nation’s food and fibre. From rice and wine to fruit, vegetables, cotton, and livestock, these areas occupy only a fraction of agricultural land yet sustain the bulk of our production. Murray is not just a regional concern—it is a national asset. Protecting it means stable food prices, secure exports, and resilient communities across the country.
But we cannot afford to take this advantage for granted. Without a long-term, strategic approach, we risk undermining food security, export earnings, and the very communities that sustain our economy. That is why I have put forward a clear, practical roadmap—my 7 Point Water Plan—to deliver transparency, water quality, and smarter storage, while preventing harmful policies that hollow out production. This is how we secure affordable food, strong exports, and vibrant regional towns for generations to come.