Tribune’s note

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Ms Collins, used a single media release on 14 August to welcome the National statement on First Nations in agriculture, fisheries and forestry, framing it as a blueprint for greater self-determined participation, leadership and economic inclusion across the sector [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2]. The statement was developed collaboratively by Australian, state and territory governments with First Nations peoples and industry stakeholders [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2].

It identifies six priority areas: leadership and workforce; finance and business support; knowledge-sharing and safeguards; Indigenous Estate; trade and market access; and government coordination [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2].

Ms Collins positioned the statement within the broader architecture of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the First Nations Economic Partnership [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2]. Progress under the statement will be reported annually to Agriculture Ministers for at least five years [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2].

The Minister said: "By bringing together traditional knowledge systems, perspectives and experiences, we can help build a stronger, more resilient and sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector for the benefit of all Australians" [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2]. She added that the statement "sets out a shared vision for supporting greater First Nations participation and economic opportunities, while recognising the importance of self-determination and genuine partnership" [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2].

She signalled ongoing engagement with state and territory colleagues to advance First Nations participation and economic inclusion across the three sectors [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2].

The release follows the portfolio's earlier H5 bird flu update on 12 August, continuing a pattern of collaborative, safeguard-focused policy development [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2]. The portfolio's approach embeds First Nations knowledge and partnership into sector policy, targeting increased self-determined participation and economic outcomes over the next five years [TA-260814-agricu-eca767f762a2].

No parliamentary sitting occurred on 14 August, so the statement's reception in the chamber remains untested.

Primary records (1)

The official records this note draws on — the raw primary documents themselves, as published.

MediaNational statement on First Nations in agriculture, fisheries and forestryJulie CollinsFriday 14 August 2026