Page 9 - APN1022book

Tackling workforce policy challenges
Policy Analyst
Aussies drop meat due to health and environment concerns
RESEARCHERS from La Trobe University, Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology surveyed more than 3000 Austral- ians about their views on diet and eating habits.
supporting global food se- curity,” Dr Ruby said.
consistent availability in shops and restaurants.
tion on the menu isn’t going cut it anymore.
“A few years ago, our research team found that most Australians didn’t think that reducing meat consumption was an ef- fective pro-environmental action,sothisstudysug- gests that people’s under- standing is changing,” he said.
More than half of re- spondents said availability and variety of options was a key barrier for choosing plant-based foods, espe- cially when eating out.
“Expectations have changed, so consumers will simply go elsewhere where more options are provided.”
Thirty-two percent of participants said they had reduced their meat consumption in the past 12 months, according to a press release from La Trobe University.
The study showed that poultry is the most fre- quently consumed meat product, and legumes the most frequently con- sumed source of plant- based protein.
GriffithBusinessSchool lead researcher Dr Carla Riverola said this finding shows the Australian market isn’t yet meeting demand.
La Trobe University researcher Dr Matthew Ruby said environmental impact was a key factor in convincing people to reduce their meat intake.
The study, run in con- junction with Nourish Plant-Based Living, also showed that while many Australians are interested in eating more meat al- ternatives, they are often frustrated by their in-
“Plant-based eating has been one of the biggest global food trends of the last decade and unfortu- nately some food retailers and restaurants haven’t yet got up to speed and are missing out on potential business,” she said.
After surveying more than 3000 Australians about their views on diet and eating habits, 32 percent of participants said they had reduced their meat consumption in the past 12 months.
“A large amount of re- search conducted in re- cent years has found veg- etarian and vegan diets are effective options for limiting deforestation and
“Our study shows that if you run a restaurant, having only one single vegan or vegetarian op-
IN September, the Alba- nese Government held a Jobs and Skills Summit, which was the first step in a 12-month process that will involve wider consultation and develop an Employment White Paper – or statement of policy.
Among the 142 par- ticipants, representing agriculture was JBS Aus- tralia chief executive of- ficer Brent Eastwood and National Farmers’ Fed- eration president Fiona Simson, who highlighted the need for fast action to address significant work- force and skills short- ages across all agricul- tural sectors and supply chains.
in Australia’s 2022-23 skilled migration cap and $35 million to ac- celerate visa processing, and areas for further work and requiring more tech- nical detail include poli- cies to address regional and small business needs, reforming labour market testing, consultation con- cerning the temporary skilled migration income threshold following broad engagement on an equi- table level, and potential for an ‘industry sponsor- ship’ model
tralia Labour Mobility Scheme to reform and en- hance the program.
In the lead up, industry and regional ministerial meetings aimed to can- vass issues and identify common ground.
For more information, contact APL workforce policy manager Angela Bradburn.
The NFF took several recommendations to the summit, which were re- leased publicly in a paper ahead of the event.
• Promoting equal op- portunities and reducing barriers to employment – includes many initia- tives aimed at increasing diversity and promoting access to employment for priority groups, included were a number of initia- tives designed to improve disability employment outcomes and an an- nouncement of a $4000 income bank credit to allow pensioners to work and earn more before their pension is reduced
These were developed by the NFF Workforce Committee, of which APL is a participant.
In addition, a newly formed peak body alli- ance – the Food Supply Chain Alliance, which includes the NFF, Aus- tralian Meat Industry Council, Independent Food Distributors Aus- tralia and Restaurant and Catering Industry Asso- ciation among others – amplified calls for gov- ernment to address work- force shortages for the food supply chain, given its essential nature and es- timated 172,000 workers shortfall.
• Maximising jobs and opportunities in our in- dustries and communi- ties – focuses skills and training system on devel- oping capacity in tech- nology and ‘green’ jobs including in the regions.
This will include reloca- tion of the Australian ag- riculture visa to sit within the PALM Scheme.
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Australian Pork Limited chief executive officer Margo Andrae partici- pated in a meeting with Agriculture Minister Murray Watt, and APL worked with NFF to en- sure their representations captured pork industry issues.
• Boosting job security and wages, and creating safe, fair and productive workplaces – industrial re- lations reforms including agreement to simplify the ‘better off overall test’ supported by the NFF and exploring multi-employer bargaining, and bringing some concern from busi- ness groups of the poten- tial for binding industry- wide agreements
This followed ongoing work by APL and other peak industry bodies in continuing to raise work- force and skills shortage impacts in forums and conversations with gov- ernment and ministers.
The Jobs and Skills Summit released an ‘out- comes’ paper detailing immediate actions and areas for further work – essentially, a mix of elec- tion and aspirational com- mitments though with some additional informa- tion and announcements.
Also announced was the formation of a tripar- tite agricultural working group to progress priori- ties for the agriculture and the processing sector.
APL is working to un- derstand the finer details and opportunities for fur- ther consultation with de- cision makers.
Its members are govern- ment – Minister Watt – unions and industry – the NFF, Australian Meat In- dustry Council and JBS Australia – who will first meet in early October.
Key commitments in- clude:
Their initial focus will include agriculture-spe- cific skills, apprentice- ships and traineeships, maximising value from visas to support farm and processing sectors and improved housing for workers in regional areas.
• A better skilled, better trained workforce – 180,000 fee-free TAFE places in 2023 and reform to the vocational educa- tion and training system, including a greater focus on micro-credentials, or short courses
All important areas, and APL will be keen to sup- port industry representa- tives’ work in this new initiative.
• Addressing skills shortages and strength- ening the migration system – an increase
The government has also commenced – as part of election commitments – stakeholder consulta- tion on the Pacific Aus-
Australian Pork Newspaper, October 2022 – Page 9
www.porknews.com.au
by ANGELA BRADBURN