Thursday 6 November

Building on Lise Walbom’s address, this panel will explore how systems thinking can strengthen Australia’s innovation ecosystem and position agriculture as a central driver of national transformation. Panellists will unpack what it means to think and act beyond sectoral boundaries - recognising that many of the challenges facing the agrifood system, from water security to workforce capability, cannot be solved in isolation. The discussion will examine how to embed cross-sector collaboration - linking agriculture with energy, health, technology, mining, and defence - to unlock shared value, accelerate innovation, and strengthen sovereign capability. By drawing these industries together, agriculture can help shape solutions that serve both rural communities and national priorities, creating spillover benefits across supply chains and regions. Topics include: • Aligning investment, innovation, and policy with producer-led outcomes and measurable national benefit. • Strengthening national coordination and collaboration to overcome fragmentation and duplication. • Building a unified agrifood narrative that enhances trust, brand reputation, and global market access. • Turning local innovation and research breakthroughs into collective national advantage. • Activating new cross-sector partnerships that deliver shared economic, environmental, and social returns. This session will offer practical pathways for embedding systems leadership and integrated thinking into Australia’s food and agriculture agenda - advancing resilience, productivity, and global competitiveness in a climate-smart, innovation-driven world.