Public consultation on this topic is currently closed.
Development of a National Statement on First Nations in Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry was agreed at the Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting in 2024. The National Statement will drive greater economic inclusion for First Nations Australians in the sector.
In 2024 we consulted with First Nations peoples to better understand the barriers and opportunities for Indigenous economic inclusion in the sector.
First Nations stakeholders told us that supporting Indigenous economic inclusion in the sector requires creating more opportunities for First Nations people and making better use of the Indigenous Estate for agricultural production. Protecting Indigenous Knowledges, better access to capital, improving research partnerships, and better coordination and transparency of government initiatives were identified as being critical to these efforts.
What happens next
Feedback gathered in 2024 has been used to develop a discussion paper. Its purpose is to gather broader stakeholder views on opportunities and barriers affecting the participation of First Nations peoples and businesses across the sector.
We expect to release the discussion paper in early November 2025. Feedback received will help shape a National Statement that supports Indigenous economic inclusion in the sector.