Industry body won’t renew its membership of the National Farmers Federation Horticulture Council but lays out advocacy plans ahead of 2025 federal election
Australia’s peak industry body for onion, potato and vegetable growers has decided not to renew its membership of the National Farmers Federation Horticulture Council.
In a statement to its members, the industry body said its board – comprised of vegetable, potato and onion growers from across the country – reached the decision during a routine annual assessment of its industry affiliations and memberships.
“This development allows us to more efficiently conduct our core function of advocating in the direct interests of the vegetable, potato and onion growers we represent, and allocate the required level of resources to achieving results for our industry,” Ausveg said.
The decision is part of the body’s broader commitment to ramp up advocacy ahead of the 2025 federal election, as outlined in its 2025 Federal Election Priorities released on 15 November.
The document lists 21 specific requests to government, under the pillars of secure supply, skills and workforce stability, structural supports for business, and sustainable future.
“Ausveg has already engaged with key politicians and decision-makers in Canberra to discuss our 2025 election priorities, which have been well received,” Ausveg said.
Improved workforce solutions remain a high priority for Ausveg’s advocacy efforts in 2025. This follows results from its 2024 Industry Sentiment report which found 46 per cent of growers were experiencing workforce shortages. Labour costs averaged 38 per cent of a grower’s overall cost of production, in some cases reaching as high as high 71 per cent.
Within the election priorities, Ausveg has sought a review and streamlining of the PALM scheme and the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement, as well as a range of new and adjusted visa solutions and options. It has also again called for the establishment of a national labour hire licensing scheme.
