Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said on Tuesday, May 14 that farmers were on the ‘frontline’ of climate change.
"Farmers are ... facing more intense and frequent natural disasters and weather extremes which is already hurting the bottom line," Senator Watt said.
"The government is committed to helping farmers and regional communities across the country become more productive and more profitable, while also reducing their emissions."
Nearly $64 million will be spent over 10 years to support emissions reduction across agriculture as part of the national target of net zero emissions by 2050.
The National Farmers’ Federation said it would wait for more detail on the funding, with NFF president David Jochinke saying the announcement would prove a ‘solid down payment’ on investing in climate change.
“The NFF will continue engaging with the government to co-design appropriate measures,” Mr Jochinke said.
“We welcome funding for the Nature Positive Plan and improving the Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme, and we will continue to unpack these and what they mean for agriculture over the coming days.”
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers also announced the Future Drought Fund will be used to spend $519 million over eight years to help farmers and communities adapt to climate change, with the majority of that funding spent on continuing locally led drought resilience and innovation hubs.
The NFF welcomed the investment along with an additional $13.9 million for the department to respond quickly to drought events but said only $42.2 million of the $519 million will be new money.
NSW Farmers also welcomed the renewed funding for drought relief but said there was little other ‘positive news’ for farmers.
The AgCAREERSTART pilot, which encourages young people to pursue jobs in the sector, has been extended for another two years, amid some concerns the program would be scrapped.
Despite the extension of the popular gap-year program, Mr Jochinke said the funding for it had been drastically slashed.
“AgCAREERSTART has received a pitiful $500,000 across two years,” he said.
“Whilst it’s a start, it falls far short of the $4.4 million needed to keep the program’s momentum going.
“This program has revolutionised bringing fresh feet into the industry, connecting young people with jobs on farms, as well as helping solve farm workforce shortages.
“It’s been one of the few positive improvements amid a slashing of visa programs and degrading of workplace laws that has characterised this government, and now its future remains uncertain.”
The $1.7 billion set aside for roads was welcomed by Mr Jochinke.
“Farmers are fed up with Australia’s crumbling road network and we hope this creates a renewed focus on creating more efficient and safer freight routes.”
However, Nationals leader David Littleproud said the road funding was $1.6 billion less than what was promised by the government five months ago.
“Labor could find money for 36,000 Canberra bureaucrats but couldn’t spend money to even fill in a few potholes, let alone build new roads for the regions,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The government has continued to ignore regional Australia in its budget, cutting regional infrastructure projects and failing to provide new money for regional programs.”
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