GOVERNMENT MUST PULL ALL LEVERS FOR PERDAMAN

Shadow Minister for Resources and for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, has called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy all available levers to fast-track the Perdaman urea plant and prevent a catastrophic failure of Australia’s food production sector.

“With global fertiliser supply chains in turmoil, drastic action is needed to avert a national food crisis,” Senator McDonald said.

“The Perdaman project offers Australia a clear path to self-sufficiency, with the capacity to replace up to 90 per cent of our imported urea. But we cannot afford delays.”

Senator McDonald said the Government must act immediately to bring the project online by January 2027, ahead of the critical autumn planting season.

“This means mobilising every available tool including the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, Export Finance Australia, and also our immigration system to get essential workers here and get this project finished,” she said.

“The Government has just expanded EFIC’s powers through its new Strategic Reserve function. Now is the time to use those powers to secure fertiliser supply as a matter of national economic and food security.”

Senator McDonald said targeted support, including the requested $200 million in funding and expedited visas for up to 400 specialised workers from India, would ensure the project is delivered early.

“These should be short-term, highly skilled workers who will help complete a project that is already 90 per cent built. Without them, we risk unnecessary delays and prolonged exposure to volatile global markets,” she said

“The Albanese Government has bungled its entire approach to this fuel and fertiliser crisis. It has announced a fertiliser taskforce but this should have been done weeks ago. Australian farmers should not be left vulnerable because of it.”

Senator McDonald said ensuring reliable fertiliser supply was critical to food production, protecting regional economies, and easing cost-of-living pressures.

“The Federal Labor Government should be backing Australian agriculture, strengthening our sovereign capability, and ensuring food security for the future,” she said.

“We need urgent action now.”

ENDS