Farm Writers Lunch
How real is Australia's food security?
Friday 26 May 2023
12:00 for 12:30pm
Australia produces more than three times the volume of food required to feed our population. When COVID highlighted the complexities and shortfalls in our supply chains, we were regularly reassured by political and agricultural leaders that our food security was not at risk – but were they really certain of that claim?
In an increasingly volatile world, where economic coercion is as great a strategic risk as traditional conflict and warfare, is Australia’s food security really assured? What are the emerging risks and challenges to our nation’s food production capacity and what steps do we need to take to mitigate their impact?
Join us to hear from former deputy chief of air force, John Blackburn AO, in his current role as Chair of the Institute for Integrated Economic Research - Australia, as we seek to discover just how secure Australia’s food and fibre production systems really are.
In conversation with the Australian Farm Institute’s Katie McRobert, John will also discuss his work with the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group, including their 2022 publication Food Fight – climate change, food crises and regional insecurity.
Registrations for this lunch close on Sunday 21 May.
Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn AO (Retd) MDefStud, MStratStud
John is the Chair of the Institute for Integrated Economic Research – Australia. He retired from the Royal Australian Air Force in 2008 as the Deputy Chief of the Air Force, following a career as an F/A-18 fighter pilot, test pilot and strategic planner. Since 2008, John has consulted to industry and government agencies and has undertaken a range of national security and resilience related studies under the Institute for Integrated Economic Research - Australia, the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group, the Kokoda Foundation, and the Sir Richard Williams Foundation.
For the past three years he has led a National Resilience Project that has highlighted a lack of resilience in Australia in addressing the pandemic, climate change impacts, the ongoing energy transition, and growing regional security threats.
Katie McRobert
Katie brought her expertise in editing, communications and project management to the Australian Farm Institute in late 2017, and holds the position of General Manager. Before that, she worked as the global Content and Community Manager for Rabobank’s Global Farmers program and as the National Editor for the FarmOnline agricultural news service.
Katie has an MBA from Griffith University specialising in Sustainable Business, participated in the 2020 Global Business Challenge finals, won the Most Innovative Business Project Award at the 2020 MBA Australasia Graduate Management Awards and participated in the inaugural National Farmers’ Federation 2030 Leadership Program. She is Chair of the CSIRO Drought Resilience Mission Advisory Group, and a member of the NSW Environmental Trust Biodiversity Technical Review Committee.
For any questions, contact bookings@nswfarmwriters.org.au
The Sofitel and Farm Writers have COVID-safe practices in place, in line with the current guidelines for gatherings in hospitality venues. A full refund will be available should fresh restrictions mean cancelling or switching to a webinar.
