R&CA & FSAA Deliver United Message to Parliament

Hospitality Sector in Crisis: Industry Demands Urgent Reform at Parliament House Event

At a high-level Welcome Back to Parliament event at Parliament House in Canberra, John Hart OAM delivered a direct and urgent call to the federal government: act now to save Australia’s struggling hospitality sector.

Speaking as Chair of Policy and Advocacy for the FoodService Association Australia (FSAA) and National President of Restaurant and Catering Australia (R&CA), Hart outlined the stark reality. “Two thirds of hospitality businesses that operated in 2020 are no longer trading. We now have half the number of venues we had five years ago,” he told the room. “This is not a slowdown. This is a structural collapse.”

The event, co-sponsored by FSAA and R&CA, brought together policymakers, business leaders and peak bodies to demonstrate the alignment between foodservice operators and their supply partners. It marked a shift in how the industry is advocating for long-overdue policy reform.

Hart congratulated the Albanese Government on its re-election and acknowledged the role of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in creating a timely platform for engagement.

He painted a picture of communities hollowed out by closed venues and boarded-up restaurants. “While revenue numbers are climbing, it is a false signal. The increase stems from rising menu prices, not an increase in customers. We are looking at profitless growth and unsustainable pressure on operators.”

“This is not alarmist. It is visible on every main street. We need reforms, and we need them now.”

The joint FSAA and R&CA event signalled a stronger-than-ever connection between suppliers and operators, united in their push for practical, industry-led solutions. Hart also acknowledged the support of fellow hospitality advocates, including the Australian Hotels Association and Accommodation Australia.

Programs like the Economic Reform Roundtable were highlighted as vital pathways for industry input, with Hart urging all sides of politics to prioritise collaboration over conflict. “This is not the time for entrenched positions. It is about economic survival, jobs, and the health of our communities.”

Hart closed by recognising R&CA CEO Suresh Manickam and FSAA CEO Minnie Constan and issued a clear message to policymakers: “You will hear more from us. This is too important to get wrong. The future of foodservice in Australia is in your hands.