Good afternoon Wentyl,

Australia is the great food bowl of the Asia-Pacific. We grow more than enough food to feed ourselves and sell our top-quality produce to the world.

But what if that massive bounty meant nothing because it couldn’t reach the mouths it was supposed to feed?

That is the terrifying prospect our farmers are warning of because of cripplingly low fuel reserves that mean, in the event of an international emergency, food deliveries within Australia could grind to a halt.

Under our agreement with the International Energy Agency, Australia is supposed to have at least 90 days' worth of fuel in reserve.

In fact, we have not had that level in more than a decade, and as of June had barely half that — 47 days.

As a result, NSW Farmers is calling on the Albanese government to create a new national program to monitor stocks of key agricultural inputs, such as fuel to ensure food security.

This is just one of many reasons why the Back Australia campaign is not just vital for our national economy but for our national security as well.

And if there’s one thing even more important than our national security, it’s sport, with builders warning that a tradie shortage could undermine preparations for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

The Master Builders of Australia says a critical shortage of more than 200,000 tradies is the biggest challenge facing the $200 billion construction sector. 

“If we don’t get this people problem right, we are not going to build the 1.2 million homes under the National Housing Accord. We will struggle with the infrastructure needs of the country, including the Olympic build,” CEO Denita Wawn tells this masthead today.

This will mean a greater influx of skilled migrants, but where to put them when we are already suffering the housing shortage we are importing them to fix?

Westpac chief executive Anthony Miller says the answer is regional Australia, which is more affordable, can accommodate more people and is often crying out for population growth.

“So is there a little bit of a solution staring us in the eye, which is let’s get more properties built in regional Australia?” he said. 

“That’s great nation-building.”

And nation-building is what Back Australia is all about.