PODCAST: Addressing Australia’s food insecurity, with Andrew Henderson, Agsecure

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Agsecure's Andrew Henderson to unpack the recent Australian Strategic Policy Institute food security green paper developed by Henderson and Dr John Coyne.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Agsecure's Andrew Henderson to unpack the recent Australian Strategic Policy Institute food security green paper developed by Henderson and Dr John Coyne.

The pair discuss a range of topics outlined in the food security green paper, including:

  • Food security fragility: Australia’s food system heavily relies on critical imports (e.g. glyphosate, phosphate), with potential disruptions leading to rapid breakdowns.
  • Central coordination, local delivery: Proposes centralised planning (e.g. via agriculture) but decentralised execution, empowering local actors and reducing red tape.
  • Ecosystem perspective: Suggests a holistic “food security ecosystem” approach, connecting producers, processors, distributors and critical inputs.
  • Structured risk assessment: Recommends systematic identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities using structured frameworks, with private sector engagement.
  • Urgency and national security: Highlights immediate action needs due to geopolitical tensions and environmental risks, including building domestic production and resilience.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird
Episode 10: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 9: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell
Episode 8: PODCAST: Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence
Episode 7: PODCAST: Space Command workforce expansion and operationalising the domain, with Major General Gregory Novak AM
Episode 6: CONTESTED GROUND: The Defence budget, inflationary pressures and domestic information warfare
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco’s David Astbury
Episode 4: PODCAST: Anzac Day reflections, veteran support reform and ADF workforce trends, with Minister Matt Keogh
Episode 3: SPOTLIGHT: Open-source growth across defence and national security, with SUSE CMO Margaret Dawson
Episode 2: CONTESTED GROUND: Shipping, supply chains and Australia’s exposure to a volatile system, with UNSW’s Professor Douglas Guilfoyle and Associate Professor Daniel Prior