The future of Australia’s food industry, including possible regulatory reforms, will be on the agenda of the Federal Government’s Business Advisory Forum today.
The inaugural event, held in Canberra, will bring together leaders from across government and industry who will attempt to identify major problems in Australia’s food manufacturing sector, and find ways to assist local companies.
The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC)’s Acting Chief Executive Dr Geoffrey Annison said the food industry desperately needs government intervention if it is to be a viable industry in years to come.
“The Government must implement accelerated depreciation tax measures to enable manufacturers to take advantage of the high Australian dollar to invest in large-scale plant equipment upgrades to improve productivity and reduce energy use,” he said.
“Compliance with regulation and standards has also been identified as a major and ongoing issue for companies – the Government must reinvigorate its reform agenda in this area.”