Su McCluskey Appointed to New National Food Council

November 21, 2025

The Crawford Fund for Food Security has welcomed the appointment of Ms Su McCluskey, the Fund’s Chair, to the newly formed National Food Council as announced today by Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The Council will advise the Federal Government on the development of the National Food Security Strategy whichaims to boost the productivity, resilience and security of our food system.

“The Crawford Fund for Food Security (CFFS) supports the development of the Feeding

Australia: National Food Security Strategy, and the National Food Council, as we believe that food security must be recognised as both a domestic necessity and a strategic imperative,” said Ms McCluskey, an experienced senior business executive, company director, and cattle producer, with a strong background in agricultural policy, production and research.

“I am a passionate advocate for Australian agriculture, and believe strongly in our commitment to sustainability, food security, biosecurity, trade and market access and productivity growth,” she said.

“As Chair of the Crawford Fund for Food Security, an organisation which works to increase regional and global food security through collaboration and training, I look forward to bringing this broader focus to the Council, alongside my diverse experience in working at all levels of Australian agriculture.”

“Australia’s food security cannot be considered in isolation. It is bound to the resilience of regional and global systems. We have seen disease outbreaks, climate change, and geopolitical shocks all threaten supply chains, trade, and stability,” she said.

“For this reason, we believe that regional food security must be a core priority.”

“By elevating regional food security, investing in people and partnerships, and embedding research and evidence in policy, the national strategy can secure Australia’s own future while strengthening resilience in the region,” she said.

I look forward to working with the Government and the other members of the National Food Council to deliver a collaborative, whole-of-food-system approach that is both ambitious and practical,” she concluded.

The 11 members of the National Food Council have been selected to bring a diverse range of experiences from across Australia’s food system including primary producers, processors, distributors, academics and investors. The first council meeting will be held before the end of the year.