New origin food labels unveiled

Foods processed locally will have a new label, which includes the familiar green and gold kangaroo and triangle icon.

Source: Screenshot SBS

A bar chart will show what proportion of the ingredients are from Australia.

"It is really a very simple and straightforward initiative," the prime minister told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

Mr Abbott acknowledged there had long been public support for the move.

Mr Abbott says if the product has a gold bar, it is Australian.

If it has a green and gold kangaroo triangle, it is made or processed in Australia.

"It is really a very simple and straightforward initiative," the prime minister told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

Mr Abbott acknowledged there had long been public support for the move.