His first speech in this portfolio was made regarding the wheat price in Australia.
1966-67 had yielded a smaller amount than the 1965–66 season, and accordingly the price of what had to be raised.
Controversially, in May 1968, Anthony initiated a payout of $21 million to offset the devaluation of the British Pound by Prime Minister Harold Wilson; the currencies were not yet independent of each other.
 Anthony's popularity in the Industry portfolio was damaged when rural production was down $450 million in 1968 and little change had occurred in the return that farmers were getting for production.
 Anthony worked with Prime Minister John Gorton to try and create as many economically viable options as possible to deal with the “what crisis”.
Eventually quotas were introduced to limit production.
 When China stopped importing Australian wheat in 1971, Anthony advised against communication with the country, saying it could be “politically and commercially dangerous.

Anthony was made a Privy Councillor by Queen Elizabeth II on 23 June 1971.
His first speech in this portfolio was made regarding the wheat price in Australia. 1966-67 had yielded a smaller amount than the 1965–66 season, and accordingly the price of what had to be raised. Controversially, in May 1968, Anthony initiated a payout of $21 million to offset the devaluation of the British Pound by Prime Minister Harold Wilson; the currencies were not yet independent of each other.  Anthony's popularity in the Industry portfolio was damaged when rural production was down $450 million in 1968 and little change had occurred in the return that farmers were getting for production.  Anthony worked with Prime Minister John Gorton to try and create as many economically viable options as possible to deal with the “what crisis”. Eventually quotas were introduced to limit production.  When China stopped importing Australian wheat in 1971, Anthony advised against communication with the country, saying it could be “politically and commercially dangerous.
Anthony was made a Privy Councillor by Queen Elizabeth II on 23 June 1971.
Doug Anthony