THE Greens have called for a national register of agricultural purchases.
Maverick Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan has previously called for such a register but has failed to gain support from either major party.
The Greens’ policy is the latest in a raft of new initiatives aimed at making the party more farmer-friendly – the Greens have fought for the rights of farming over mining and also opposed managed investment schemes and tax breaks for carbon sink forests.
Greens leader Bob Brown said food production would be a “huge issue as the world population soars to 10 billion people or more”.
“It is important Australians know who owns the productive farmlands and water rights of our country,” Senator Brown said.
"Currently there is no register except in Queensland nor any vetting of foreign ownership by the Foreign Investment Review Board except for purchases in excess of $231 million.
"New Zealand has had a register since 1988 and Australia should catch up.”
The Greens have also called for the ACCC to assess the impacts of food processor mergers and takeovers and called for an inquiry into National Competition Policy.
