Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Senator The Hon Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science
On 19 May 2026, Ministers Ayres, Collins and Watt will host an industry roundtable to discuss current challenges facing plastics supply chains and identify potential supply solutions for the dairy and food industry, including fresh meat industries.
The Roundtable will review supply forecasts, possible alternate suppliers, cost minimisation and options to build domestic supply.
It will also discuss the role packaging and recycling reforms could play, including for plastics, in addressing supply chain issues.
This is an important part of the work the Albanese Government is doing to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of fuel and supply disruption because of the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Participants include peak bodies from dairy, red meat and poultry, food and grocery, and plastics and packaging industries.
This discussion will inform work being undertaken across government, including:
Key actions to secure fuel:
- Securing more fuel internationally through the $7.5 billion Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility - which has secured approximately 600 million litres of diesel and approximately 100 million litres of jet fuel
- Building long term fuel resilience through the $3.2 billion Australian Fuel Security Reserve and increasing the Minimum Stockholding Obligation (MSO), to increase Australia's reserves of diesel and jet fuel to 50 days
- Released 20% of Australia's fuel reserves, targeted at regional areas
- Temporarily changed petrol and diesel standards to get more fuel flowing
- Engaged with international partners to keep supply flowing
- Halved the fuel excise for diesel and petrol for 3 months
- Cut the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to zero for 3 months
- Delivering the $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program, to boost the production of lowemission fuels in Australia, and working with industry on a market measure to drive demand and to reduce our reliance on imported fuels
- Increased scrutiny of fuel companies and penalties, including passing new laws to double penalties for petrol companies for price gouging
Key actions to secure fertiliser:
- Securing more fertiliser internationally through the $7.5 billion Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility - which has secured approximately 90,000 tonnes of additional fertiliser into the domestic market with agreements with CSBP and Incitec Pivot
- Helping to secure 250,000 tonnes of additional agricultural grade urea for Australian farmers from Indonesia
- Joint leaders' statement with Brunei Darussalam committing to cooperation on food security and resilient supply chains for food production
- Establishing a Fertiliser Supply Working Group between Government and industry, including Fertilizer Australia and the National Farmers' Federation
- Streamlined biosecurity border processes for imported fertiliser
Key actions to support farmers impacted by Middle East conflict:
- Deferred the phased transition to full cost recovery for export regulatory services for one year until 1 July 2027
- Practical support that is always available to ensure Australia's farmers and producers can access the support they need
- The Government unlocked further funding to support farmers and producers impacted by hardship through the Rural Financial Counselling Service
Quotes attributed to Tim Ayres, Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science
"My department is very focused on monitoring supply chains - from urea stocks and risks in Australia's polymer and plastic resin supply - to make sure Government has the information it needs to make good decisions in Australia's national interest.
"Plastic packaging is critical for Australia's food security and we are keeping a close eye on supplies to make sure Australian industry, producers and consumers aren't caught short."
Quotes attributed to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins MP
"The Albanese Labor Government has been working around the clock with Australia's farmers, fishers and producers to help manage the impact of the war in the Middle East.
"This meeting is another way we are working closely with industry to find practical solutions through collaboration to the challenges being faced.
"We know plastic packaging is an important part of getting food to Australians, and supporting our food security more broadly, which is why this kind of collaboration is critical."
Quotes attributed to Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
"This Roundtable will facilitate an important conversation with industry to understand their firsthand experience of impacts being felt within Australia's plastic packaging supply chain.
"Reducing and responsibly managing plastic waste through recycling is a priority for the Albanese Government, and where this can help increase food security for Australians, there is a double benefit.
"We've invested over $200 million in new and upgraded recycling infrastructure through the Recycling Modernisation Fund, $25 million for a national solar panel recycling pilot, and last week's Budget delivered a further $17 million for circular economy measures."
