Reception in Support of Foodbank Queensland 2025

Foodbank Queensland Chair, Mr Mike Hill and CEO, Ms Jess Watkinson; staff and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this afternoon.

Graeme and I extend a very warm welcome to Government House and this important event, which enables us to sincerely thank all those involved in Foodbank Queensland — and particularly the sponsors and donors who continue to lend their support to so many Queenslanders doing it tough.

The notion of food insecurity in our famously 'lucky country' feels incongruous — and yet, as your data and the lived experiences of community members make clear, it is a sobering and persistent reality.

As Patron of Foodbank Queensland and Governor, I am proud of the vital role this organisation plays in supporting more than 350 frontline charities to feed those in need. While the figure of 3,000 meals every hour is remarkable, we know demand continues to outpace supply. Yet we also know your commitment to expanding support and finding new ways to reach those experiencing hunger remains staunch — and for this, we are deeply grateful.

We are also grateful for the positive environmental impact of Foodbank Queensland’s work. By preventing 24 million kilograms of CO₂-e emissions from entering landfill each year, you are not only feeding communities but also helping to improve air quality, conserve water, and slow the effects of climate change. This, too, deserves our sincere appreciation.

As Queensland’s largest hunger relief charity, Foodbank of course relies on the generosity of major sponsors to continue its vital work helping people across the state, and of all backgrounds, circumstances and ages.

Thanks to this support, more than 400 school breakfast programs are delivered each year, helping to ensure Queensland children start their day with a nutritious meal—fuel that not only nourishes their bodies but also supports their capacity to learn, grow and thrive.

Our awareness of food insecurity in Queensland is growing, thanks largely to the work you and others do. Just last Sunday, I was in Longreach for the start of The Great Australian Cattle Drive, an event that will see drovers move more than 1,600 head of cattle from Longreach to Roma—and which has already generated significant interest through media coverage and on-the-ground representation.

The goal is to shine a light not just on the insidious problem of food and nutritional deficits faced in communities everywhere, but on the potential solutions!

There is no one solution, but together we generate significant momentum and shift the conversation toward positive and lasting change. In the meantime, the work you do cannot be undersold, or underestimated, and for that I ask you to accept my thanks on behalf of all Queenslanders.