In response to the current flooding crisis in Western Queensland, in combination with the ongoing scrutiny into supermarket price gouging, Community Independent candidate for Groom has reiterated the need for a Minister for Food.

“A Minister for Food will ensure food security, support farmers, and drive investment in the agricultural sector,” announced Ms Holt.

“Establishing a cabinet role will provide a coordinated national approach to safeguarding food security for future generations.”

Ms Holt shook up the electorate in 2022, reducing the incumbent’s margin to under 7 per cent, and is again running to be the Federal Member for Groom with a campaign centrepiece of a National Regional Strategy.

“We’ve got fragmented policies, inadequate protection of prime agricultural land, and missed regional growth and development opportunities”.

The role would support not just farmers, but everyday families too, explained Ms Holt.

“In 2024 an estimated 3.4million Australian households experienced food insecurity.

“This is affecting mums and dads around the country.

“Food insecurity leads to poor health outcomes, increased hospital admissions, poor school performance for kids, increased youth crime,” said Ms Holt.

“A Minister for Food is a win for farmers and families”.