Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce and the Minister for Industry and Science, Ian Macfarlane announced the initiative in Canberra on Tuesday.

The new labelling involves the use of a gold kangaroo on the background of a green triangle, specifying the percentage of Australian ingredients that the product contains. 

Other labels will state the product was made outside Australia but packed in this country, or the country of origin where wholly imported.

Initially compliance with the system will be voluntary but manufacturers can expect it to be mandatory by the middle of next year.

Finally, companies will be encouraged to provide further information on the origin of significant ingredients.

Beechworth Honey proprietor Jodie Goldsworthy said the initiative was a step in the right direction but more was required.

“The previous country of origin labelling laws were a contradiction in terms in that they didn’t require the country of origin to be on the label,” Ms Goldsworthy, whose products are sold in supermarkets nationally, said.

“We know people want to buy Australian produce but until now they have not had the information available to help make their buying decisions.

“So the previous system cost Australian producers a lot of money in my opinion.

“Consumers also want to know where the ingredients of a product come from because they are aware other countries do not have the same safe food regulatory standards Australia and New Zealand have. 

“So Honey lemon chicken product labels should say where the honey comes from, where the lemon comes from and where the chicken comes from so consumers can make informed decisions about what they’re buying.”