Food security is one of the major challenges facing nations such as Australia at the beginning of the 21st century.

What aspects of food security policy do the major parties agree on?

Food security policies stretch across the agriculture, trade, environment, infrastructure and regional development portfolios. There is broad agreement between Labor and the Coalition on some issues, such as a Farm Finance debt-relief package, a register to record foreign investment in agricultural land and water, and the ESCAS welfare assurance system for live exports. At the federal level, both major parties support the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, although questions remain over how to put the plan into action, which requires an agreement with the states. So far the Commonwealth, Victorian, South Australian and ACT governments have signed the intergovernmental agreement to implement the Basin Plan.

What are the key differences between the major parties?

The major parties remain divided on issues such as the carbon tax, an interim ban on supertrawlers, and the threshold for Foreign Investment Review Board scrutiny of rural land and water sales. While Labor and the Coalition both support the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, they differ on whether or not the plan should include an explicit cap on government buybacks of irrigators' water entitlements.

What we know National Food Plan In May, Labor revealed its long-awaited, comprehensive plan for food production, processing and access. The National Food Plan was a 2010 Labor election commitment. It is a cross-portfolio initiative which includes money to help Australian farmers and exporters improve access to growing Asian markets, improve branding and marketing of Australian produce, and a Productivity Commission review, to identify areas in need of reform. Murray Darling Basin Plan Federal Labor supports the plan, which allows for up to 3,200GL to be returned to the basin environment. Believes the plan, as written, contains an implicit cap on buybacks of irrigators' water entitlements at 1,500GL.

Federal Labor supports the plan, which allows for up to 3,200GL to be returned to the basin environment. Believes the plan, as written, contains an implicit cap on buybacks of irrigators' water entitlements at 1,500GL. Federal Coalition supports the plan, which allows for up to 3,200GL to be returned to the basin environment. Has promised to legislate to explicitly cap government buybacks of irrigators' water entitlements at 1,500GL.

Federal Coalition supports the plan, which allows for up to 3,200GL to be returned to the basin environment. Has promised to legislate to explicitly cap government buybacks of irrigators' water entitlements at 1,500GL. Greens believe the Basin Plan, now law, will not return enough water to the environment. They argue that a minimum of 4,000GL must be returned to the basin to guarantee its long-term health. Foreign investment ALP supports foreign investment in Australian agricultural land, water and agribusiness. Has promised to create a national register of all sales of rural land and water to foreign buyers. Supports current price triggers for Foreign Investment Review Board intervention.

ALP supports foreign investment in Australian agricultural land, water and agribusiness. Has promised to create a national register of all sales of rural land and water to foreign buyers. Supports current price triggers for Foreign Investment Review Board intervention. Coalition supports foreign investment in Australian agricultural land, water and agribusiness. No firm policy commitment, but has released a discussion paper indicating in-principle support for: national register of all foreign ag-related investment; lowering the $244 million price threshold that currently triggers Foreign Investment Review Board assessment of sales to foreign, non-sovereign entities; appointment of person with "agricultural expertise" to the FIRB.

Coalition supports foreign investment in Australian agricultural land, water and agribusiness. No firm policy commitment, but has released a discussion paper indicating in-principle support for: national register of all foreign ag-related investment; lowering the $244 million price threshold that currently triggers Foreign Investment Review Board assessment of sales to foreign, non-sovereign entities; appointment of person with "agricultural expertise" to the FIRB. Greens are concerned about the sale of Australian agricultural land and water to foreign buyers, particularly state-owned enterprises. Want to lower threshold for FIRB consideration of sales to foreign non-state enterprises to $5 million, and include cumulative purchases by same entity. Want a legislated national interest test requiring food security implications of any sale be considered. Greens support a national foreign investment register. Drought assistance Labor oversaw end of Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance and interest-rate subsidies. Announced new National Drought Program reform as part of the 2013-14 Federal Budget, including "hardship assistance" for farmers, paid at the Newstart rate, worth $100 million over four years. The new policy emphasises drought preparedness over crisis management, provision of social services, and better farm business training. Labor has expanded eligibility criteria for Farm Management Deposit scheme.

Labor oversaw end of Exceptional Circumstances drought assistance and interest-rate subsidies. Announced new National Drought Program reform as part of the 2013-14 Federal Budget, including "hardship assistance" for farmers, paid at the Newstart rate, worth $100 million over four years. The new policy emphasises drought preparedness over crisis management, provision of social services, and better farm business training. Labor has expanded eligibility criteria for Farm Management Deposit scheme. Coalition supports focus on drought-preparedness and "helping farmers to help themselves". Is considering more favourable taxation measures for farmers, including possible changes to Farm Management Deposit scheme.

Coalition supports focus on drought-preparedness and "helping farmers to help themselves". Is considering more favourable taxation measures for farmers, including possible changes to Farm Management Deposit scheme. Greens support policy focus on reducing effects of climate change on agriculture. Support national drought policy in line with WA drought pilot, including health and social services, and exit assistance. Support measures to help farmers adopt more sustainable farming techniques, and more funding for agricultural research and development. Farm debt ALP has announced Farm Finance package, including 16 additional Rural Financial Counsellors nationwide, expanded eligibility criteria for Farm Management Deposit scheme, and a promise to work with other governments, banks and farmers to develop consistent national approach to farm debt mediation. Farm Finance package also includes $420 million over two years for concessional loans for "viable" farmers. Only Queensland, Victoria and NSW have so far formally signed on to the package and started rolling out the loans package. Other states have indicated in-principle support. Negotiations continue.

ALP has announced Farm Finance package, including 16 additional Rural Financial Counsellors nationwide, expanded eligibility criteria for Farm Management Deposit scheme, and a promise to work with other governments, banks and farmers to develop consistent national approach to farm debt mediation. Farm Finance package also includes $420 million over two years for concessional loans for "viable" farmers. Only Queensland, Victoria and NSW have so far formally signed on to the package and started rolling out the loans package. Other states have indicated in-principle support. Negotiations continue. Coalition supports the delivery of the Farm Finance debt-relief package for farmers.

Coalition supports the delivery of the Farm Finance debt-relief package for farmers. Greens have given in-principle support to Government's Farm Finance package, but warn more assistance may be needed. Carbon tax ALP wants to move to a floating carbon price and emissions trading scheme one year earlier than planned, from July 1, 2014. Has approved 13 methodologies for generating carbon credits under Carbon Farming Initiative, including several for pig and dairy farmers.

ALP wants to move to a floating carbon price and emissions trading scheme one year earlier than planned, from July 1, 2014. Has approved 13 methodologies for generating carbon credits under Carbon Farming Initiative, including several for pig and dairy farmers. Coalition has promised to repeal carbon tax. Would keep Carbon Farming Initiative under its 'Direct Action' policy as means of sequestering carbon, particularly on marginal land.

Coalition has promised to repeal carbon tax. Would keep Carbon Farming Initiative under its 'Direct Action' policy as means of sequestering carbon, particularly on marginal land. Greens support carbon tax and Carbon Farming Initiative. Negotiated a $900 million Biodiversity Fund for farm biodiversity projects as part of carbon tax deal, but that fund has since been significantly cut back through the Budget process. Coal seam gas In Government, Labor has approved a number of coal seam gas proposals, but some Labor MPs in CSG regions are opposed to the industry. Labor established the Independent Scientific Expert Panel to provide independent advice on environmental impact of proposed CSG projects, and introduced a 'Water Trigger' under environmental law, giving the Federal Environment Minister greater approvals powers over large coal mines and CSG projects on the basis of their impact on water resources.

In Government, Labor has approved a number of coal seam gas proposals, but some Labor MPs in CSG regions are opposed to the industry. Labor established the Independent Scientific Expert Panel to provide independent advice on environmental impact of proposed CSG projects, and introduced a 'Water Trigger' under environmental law, giving the Federal Environment Minister greater approvals powers over large coal mines and CSG projects on the basis of their impact on water resources. The Coalition is still finalising CSG policy. Supports CSG exploration with landholder permission and a science-based approvals process. Supports 2km buffer zones around towns of more than 1,000 people, within which gas wells can't be developed. Supports the Independent Scientific Expert Panel, and backed the 'Water Trigger' amendment in the parliament.

The Coalition is still finalising CSG policy. Supports CSG exploration with landholder permission and a science-based approvals process. Supports 2km buffer zones around towns of more than 1,000 people, within which gas wells can't be developed. Supports the Independent Scientific Expert Panel, and backed the 'Water Trigger' amendment in the parliament. Greens have called for a moratorium on CSG projects and attempted to pass legislation that would have allowed farmers to refuse CSG developments on their land. Concerned about impact of fracking on agricultural land and water resources, and want further science undertaken. Support Independent Scientific Expert Panel and expanded approvals power for the Federal Environment Minister, although Greens argue ‘Water Trigger’ amendment did not go far enough. Live export trade The ALP is committed to continuing the live export trade. Implemented ESCAS welfare assurance system for livestock sent for slaughter in overseas markets. Has announced more oversight of welfare conditions for breeder livestock sent to overseas markets. Has promised additional independent oversight of ESCAS by creating a statutory Inspector-General for Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports.

The ALP is committed to continuing the live export trade. Implemented ESCAS welfare assurance system for livestock sent for slaughter in overseas markets. Has announced more oversight of welfare conditions for breeder livestock sent to overseas markets. Has promised additional independent oversight of ESCAS by creating a statutory Inspector-General for Animal Welfare and Live Animal Exports. The Coalition is committed to continuing the live export trade. Supports the ESCAS welfare assurance system in overseas markets, but says implementing the system has damaged Australia's trading relationships. Believes current regulatory oversight of the ESCAS system is sufficient and will not introduce further regulation in the form of an Inspector-General if elected.

The Coalition is committed to continuing the live export trade. Supports the ESCAS welfare assurance system in overseas markets, but says implementing the system has damaged Australia's trading relationships. Believes current regulatory oversight of the ESCAS system is sufficient and will not introduce further regulation in the form of an Inspector-General if elected. Greens want a ban on live exports for slaughter, and support introduction of mandatory pre-slaughter stunning within Australia. Want to replace live exports through expanded domestic slaughter and processing. Want an independent Office for Animal Welfare with a broad mandate beyond oversight of ESCAS. Marine parks Labor declared world's largest network of marine parks in 2012, banned supertrawlers from operating in Commonwealth waters for two years, commissioned comprehensive review of Australian fisheries management.

Labor declared world's largest network of marine parks in 2012, banned supertrawlers from operating in Commonwealth waters for two years, commissioned comprehensive review of Australian fisheries management. Coalition supports marine parks and marine protected areas in principle, but has said that, if elected, it would review the Marine Protected Areas declared in 2012. Has promised a "more rigorous assessment" process for future marine parks, including additional consultation with stakeholders including industry, and an independent scientific reference panel.

Coalition supports marine parks and marine protected areas in principle, but has said that, if elected, it would review the Marine Protected Areas declared in 2012. Has promised a "more rigorous assessment" process for future marine parks, including additional consultation with stakeholders including industry, and an independent scientific reference panel. The Greens supported 2012 Commonwealth marine parks declaration as a "good start", but says reserve boundaries and conditions were overly influenced by industry. Support ban on supertrawler while scientific impact assessment is completed. Northern Australia development Coalition has committed to produce a White Paper for Northern Australian development within 12 months if elected, looking at how to improve infrastructure and services, expand agriculture and resource production, and make the region a tourist magnet. Country of Origin labelling Greens have called for clearer and stricter Country of Origin labelling for food. Introduced Country of Origin Labelling legislation to Parliament, but that was not supported by either major party.

What don't we know about the major parties' policies?

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 2 minutes 52 seconds 2 m 52 s Northern food bowl 'a myth' ( Jason Om )

While the Labor Government has now released its long-awaited National Food Plan, the Coalition is yet to reveal whether or not it would continue that if elected. The Coalition has committed to develop a White Paper on development in Northern Australia, including opportunities for expanded primary production, but it has not yet released a national agriculture policy. Labor has announced a Farm Finance rural debt-relief package, which the Coalition supports. Queensland, NSW and Victoria have signed up for that package, which includes $60 million for each state government over two years in concessional loans for farmers.