Opinion: No farmers, no food

03 March 2026

By Melina Morrison, CEO BCCM

The current situation in the Middle East is a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by island nations with long supply chains, and recent warnings about our refined fuel reserves underscore this. I was also reflecting on another vulnerability, food security, after attending the marvelous AGM of CBH Group, Australia’s largest co-operative and a founding BCCM member, on Friday.

At its heart, CBH exists to make farming successful. When farmers are profitable at the farm gate, they are incentivised to continue growing food (you don’t have to understand grain farming to get the importance of a loaf of bread!). This societal benefit is not captured in a traditional profit and loss paradigm, yet it remains one of the key advantages of co-operatives operating in agriculture. It is far easier to farm sustainably when you can leverage a $5 billion balance sheet, as CBH’s 3,500 family farm members do, rather than stand alone against volatility in climate, commodity prices and inflation on inputs.

The treatment of co-ops with a one-size-fits-all competition lens is something we will continue to fight vociferously under our policy blueprint pillar to protect and enhance corporate diversity in the Australian economy. CBH’s charitable status is another way the co-op creates value, reinvesting in the regions where members live and farm. This social dividend supports wellbeing and regional vitality while reducing cost pressures on government.

Co-ops must insist on a broader measure of success than GDP, one that recognises total value creation, generative investment, budget savings and lower cost of living for all Australians, not only co-op members. Reviews into our sector have identified barriers that disadvantage co-operatives and mutuals compared to other business models. Government and industry consultations have made strong recommendations, many still awaiting action. Rest assured, we will not take our foot off the reform agenda until they are addressed.

Federal Government to unlock potential of Australian co-op and mutual sector

Senate recommends level playing field for co-ops and mutuals

The BCCM responds to the Better Competition, Better Prices report

Modernising Australian co-operatives regulation