Advocacy

Actions speak louder than words.

Political

We engage with both state and federal governments to influence policy settings to ensure the best outcome for both our members and sponsors. We explain our poor policy might negatively impact their businesses. We also identify market movements and changes that may impact your business.

We work closely with a range of organisations including The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) to which we sit on its SME Committee. We also work closely with the National Small Business Ombudsman’s office, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia and state based ‘Small Business Commissioners’ nationally.

 

CEO of IFDA, Richard Forbes has been involved in;

  • The Food and Grocery Sector Forum (Deputy Chair)

  • Informal Chair of the National Food supply Chain Alliance

  • The Food Supply Chain Capacity Study Steering Committee

  • Supermarket Task Force

  • Supply Chain Consequence Management – East Coast Severe Weather Impact – Industry working group

The Hon, Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia and CEO of IFDA, Richard Forbes

The Hon, Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia

Energy

The cost of business continues to impact food distributors, particularly the price of energy. Warehouses have large freezers and chillers that operate 24/7. The impact of rising wholesale prices, up to $100K per month, over the past two years is having a significant impact on food distributors and suppliers. As you have outlined, suppliers/manufacturers. IFDA has been at the forefront of the energy debate, explaining the impact of high wholesale prices through its political and media advocacy.

Workplace Relations / Labour shortages

Labour shortages continue to be an issue for the logistics sector. iFDA positioned itself on the Food Supply Chain Capacity Study Steering Committee and convinced Jobs and Skills Australia to expand the Study from Agriculture only, to include food suppliers/manufacturers, distributors and retailers. A summary of the Report can be found here: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/publications/essential-ingredient-food-supply-chain-workforce

Speaking with the Treasurer, the Hon. Jim Chalmers MP

The Leader of The Nationals, the Hon. David Littleproud MP

Industry Collaboration

IFDA collaborates closely with like-minded representative bodies to ensure key issues affecting the national food supply chain are understood and advocated on with major influencers and decision makers. It works across industry as a facilitator to ensure Australia has one, united voice on food related issues.

We have developed relationships with the CEOs of all the major food peak bodies including transport and logistics. We meet regularly with the Small Business Ombudsman, the Council of Small Business of Australia (COSBOA) and became a partner. We worked closely with the NFF, AMIC, Foodbank, AFGC, MGA, AACS, RWTA and ACAPMA.