Palmer Donates Additional $1 Million To Foodbank

Mineralogy Chairman Clive Palmer has donated a further $1 million to Foodbank Australia, building on his $5 million contribution in 2025 that has already helped deliver more than 5.4 million meals to Australians experiencing food insecurity.

The additional funding will support Foodbank's ongoing response to rising demand for emergency food relief, as cost-of-living pressures continue to affect households across the country.

Mr Palmer said the latest donation reflected the scale of the challenge facing many Australian families and has called on others who are in a position to help - particularly the government - to do more to help.

"The figures released by Foodbank over the past year show just how widespread food insecurity has become," Mr Palmer said.

Foodbank used the original donation to deliver 5.4 million meals and an estimated $19.31 million in food retail value, generating a $128.76 million social return on investment.

The funding had a direct and measurable impact, particularly for families facing extreme financial stress.

According to the Foodbank Hunger Report, in 2025 almost 3.5 million Australian households experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months - that's one in three Australian households facing the distressing question of what, if anything, they can put on the dinner table.

Foodbank reports that 20% of Australian households (approximately 1 in 5) are classified as "severely food insecure," which is defined as frequently skipping meals or going entire days without eating.

The support has helped ease pressure on struggling Australians by making food one less thing to worry about.

In doing so, it has allowed households to stretch limited budgets further to cover essentials like housing, utilities and healthcare.

The assistance has been especially critical for single-parent families, who are among the hardest hit.

"While the earlier funding has made a real difference, the need has not eased. This additional contribution is intended to help Foodbank continue its work on the ground, Mr Palmer said.

"Foodbank has shown that support can be turned quickly into meals for people who need them," he said.

"Foodbank is doing the heavy lifting in the fight against hunger. But they cannot do it alone. I encourage those who are in a position to help to consider doing so.

"We need the government to step up and ensure that feeding hungry Australians is a priority.

"We must do more to ensure every Australian – every child, every parent, every grandparent – has access to the food they need to live with dignity,'' he said.

Foodbank Australia Board Chair Duncan Makeig said the additional $1 million would provide important support at a time when demand for food relief remained high.

"Demand for Foodbank services continues to exceed supply in many parts of the country," Mr Makeig said.

"Additional funding helps us to secure more food and maintain consistent supply to the charities and community organisations we support."

Mr Makeig said Mr Palmer's continued support reinforced the importance of long-term commitment to addressing hunger.

"We welcome this further donation and acknowledge the role it will play in helping Australians who are doing it tough."