World Food Day: Australia’s Role in Global Food Security

As the world marks World Food Day, with 2.8 billion people unable to afford a healthy diet and 733 million facing hunger, Australia is stepping up to help tackle the global food security crisis. This year’s theme, “Right to foods for a better life and better future”, underscores the urgency of ensuring everyone has access to nutritious food.

Tina Hutchison, Deputy Secretary of Trade and Regulation, emphasized Australia’s important contributions to fighting hunger.
“Australia plays a significant role in supporting the objectives of World Food Day through our work with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and by exporting around 70% of our agricultural, fisheries, and forestry products,” Ms Hutchison said.

Australia’s Focus on Investment and Innovation

Hutchison highlighted that addressing global food security requires investment, innovation, and science, as well as strong collaboration on an international scale.
“It’s crucial for Australia to maintain a global voice—especially in multilateral forums like the FAO—to keep contributing to a more sustainable world,” she said.

Australia advocates for free and open trade, pushing back against protectionist policies that could threaten food security globally. The country also extends its support to Pacific neighbours, helping them strengthen their own food and agriculture systems.

Australia’s Sustainability and Trade Leadership

Australia’s Special Representative for Agriculture, Su McCluskey, is currently in Rome at the World Food Forum (WFF), promoting Australia’s commitment to sustainable agriculture. The forum is hosted by the FAO and focuses on shaping global food systems for the future.

Australia’s Special Representative for Agriculture, Su McCluskey

Hutchison also emphasized Australia’s subsidy-free production model and how sharing our expertise in research and development partnerships can help other nations develop their own agriculture systems.
“With challenges like climate change, conflict, and rising costs worsening global food insecurity, free and open trade under a rules-based system is vital to drive sustainable production,” she added.

Australia’s trade agreements allow the country to deliver safe, sustainable, and nutritious food to over 160 world markets, showcasing its leadership in global food security efforts.

For Australia, World Food Day is not just about acknowledging the problem but also reinforcing its commitment to being part of the solution through sustainable agriculture, free trade, and global collaboration.

Highlights and Challenges for Sustainable Fisheries

The 2024 Fishery Status Reports, published by ABARES (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences), reveal that the majority of Commonwealth fish stocks remain well-managed, with most stocks not being overfished or subject to overfishing. The annual report provides an independent assessment of the biological and economic health of Commonwealth-managed fisheries.

ABARES Executive Director, Dr Jared Greenville, emphasized the positive overall results, stating that of the 102 stocks assessed, only 3 changed status compared to the previous

ABARES Executive Director, Dr Jared Greenville

year. In total, 67 stocks were classified as not overfished, while 75 stocks were classified as not subject to overfishing, matching last year’s outcome.

Key Challenges Highlighted in the Report

The report underscores several pressures facing sustainable fisheries management, particularly:

• Climate change impacts: Ongoing climate shifts are affecting marine ecosystems, posing significant challenges to fisheries management.
• Data quality and availability: There has been a decline in the quantity and quality of data needed to carry out comprehensive stock assessments, leading to increased uncertainty.

Dr Greenville noted a rise in the number of stocks with uncertain status, as well as a slight increase in stocks classified as overfished or subject to overfishing. This trend highlights the need for consistent monitoring and the importance of adaptive management systems to ensure long-term sustainability.

Despite these challenges, Dr Greenville stressed that the Commonwealth fisheries management systems are robust and well-positioned to address the pressures and ensure the sustainability of Australia’s fish stocks.

For more information and to access the full report, visit: ABARES Fishery Status Reports 2024.

NSW First to Identify Number of People Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Global Milestone

In a world-first achievement, Cancer Institute NSW has identified that approximately 7,900 people in NSW are living with metastatic breast cancer. This groundbreaking discovery is set to not only improve cancer outcomes in NSW but also provide critical insights for the rest of Australia and the global medical community.

Through the use of Cancer Institute NSW’s linked data sets, a comprehensive methodology was developed, determining that 7,850 women and 50 men in NSW are currently living with metastatic breast cancer. This innovative approach will soon be shared nationally and internationally, offering a clearer picture of the scale of this disease.

Metastatic breast cancer is an advanced form of breast cancer that spreads to other parts of the body. While cancer registries track initial breast cancer diagnoses, the exact number of people developing metastatic breast cancer after an initial diagnosis was previously unknown—both in Australia and globally. This discovery aims to address the invisibility often felt by those living with the disease and will help NSW prepare for the growing number of people living with and surviving cancer, thanks to advances in treatment and care.

The data gathered will assist health professionals and researchers in better understanding how diagnostics and treatments affect breast cancer recurrence and survival, while also paving the way for critical improvements in cancer research, care, and policy reform.
Global Leadership in Data-Driven Cancer Insights

The breakthrough is a result of Cancer Institute NSW’s ability to link cancer incidence and mortality data with NSW clinical datasets, the Commonwealth Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule (PBS), and National Death Index data. This robust data integration has allowed the Institute to accurately pinpoint how many people are living with metastatic breast cancer in NSW. The methodology will now be shared globally, supporting international efforts in understanding and treating this aggressive cancer.
New BreastScreen Clinic at Royal Hospital for Women

Alongside this major development, Minister for Health Ryan Park inaugurated a new BreastScreen NSW clinic at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick. This expanded facility will provide potentially life-saving mammograms to an additional 3,000 to 5,000 women each year. The service offers free breast screening every two years for eligible women, aiming to detect breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.
Key Quotes

Minister for Health, Ryan Park: “As NSW Health Minister, I am incredibly proud of this remarkable discovery by NSW clinicians and researchers. This is a huge step forward in understanding how many people are living with metastatic breast cancer and addressing the invisibility felt by many.”

Minister for Health, Ryan Park

Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler: “This is an important step forward for people with metastatic breast cancer. Knowledge is power, and this information will help drive new research that can improve the lives of thousands.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison: “With breast cancer being the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, discoveries like this help us ensure that NSW is prepared to support the growing number of people living with cancer.”

NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM: “Pinpointing how many people have metastatic breast cancer is about giving a voice, options, and hope to people living with the disease. Our immediate focus must be on improving their quality of life and addressing their broader physical, emotional, and practical needs.”

Breast Cancer Network Australia Consumer Representative, Lisa Rankin: “As someone living with metastatic breast cancer, I’m incredibly excited that we are now recognized. This achievement will lead to positive changes for us and our families.”

This discovery not only provides visibility to those living with metastatic breast cancer but also lays the foundation for significant improvements in care, research, and policy both in NSW and beyond. For more information on breast cancer screening, visit www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.