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: Weak, vulnerable, backwater – Australia’s choice between strategic camps and managed decline
Episode 10: PODCAST: Undersea dominance – Australia charts the maritime future through autonomous systems and AUKUS innovation
Episode 9: PODCAST: Australian Army Cadets pathways, submarine industry growth and Australia’s fuel security
Episode 8: CONTESTED GROUND: The blind faith factor – why Australians trust an ADF they don’t understand
Episode 7: PODCAST: Defence preparedness, artificial intelligence productivity, and Australian industrial resilience
Episode 6: CONTESTED GROUND: Shots fired! Chinese missile test shatters Australia’s ‘fog of peace’, with Mike Pezzullo
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: Counter-drone innovation, directed energy and delivering operational outcomes, with EOS Defence Systems’ Lee Kormany
Episode 4: PODCAST: Strengthening security ties, Fiji defence pact and Australia’s counter-drone push
Episode 3: CONTESTED GROUND: Lessons from the UK in political polarisation, generational dislocation and intergenerational warfare, with Ben Dullroy, Bravo Delta Advisory
Episode 2: PODCAST: Defence Industry Development Strategy, Defence reform and Australians fighting in Ukraine