Nationals senator accuses farmers group of climate hypocrisy

Net zero aspiration

Some National Party politicians, especially in Victoria, have expressed concerns that under Mr Joyce, who was re-elected leader on June 21, the party will become reluctant to support or agree to more stringent climate policies.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has expressed a desire to reach the 2050 target but has not committed the government to it.

The National Farmers’ Federation supports what it calls a 2050 “net zero aspiration” target. The Business Council of Australia, which represents large companies, supports the target without qualification.

Responding to Senator Canavan’s comments, NFF chief executive Tony Mahar said the group’s approach was consistent and it wanted the debate to focus on more substantial problems, including the policies, technology and funding needed to lower emissions.

“We want to see farmers rewarded for their role in lowering emissions, rather than the policies of the past which saw swaths of private farmland locked up with no recognition and no compensation,” he said.

“Land-clearing laws saw farmers do the heavy lifting to meet Australia’s Kyoto commitments. It was a kick in the guts we haven’t forgotten. Now, we want to be part of the solution in a way that recognises and rewards our contribution.”

Victorian differences

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh. 

The leader of the Nationals Victoria, Peter Walsh, acknowledged that his division had considered separating from the rest of the party after Mr Joyce was re-elected leader because of his expressed scepticism about climate policies.

“Victorian industry and the Victorian community expect their government to do more on climate change than our Queensland cousins,” Mr Walsh said. “The agriculture industry doesn’t want to be carved out [of a climate agreement]. Everyone wants to know what the plan is or if you are part of the discussion.”

Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, which represent about 1.3 per cent of the world’s, have declined 22.6 per cent since their peak in the 2007 financial year, according to the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.

The International Energy Agency said in May that, to achieve no net emissions on a global basis by 2050, nuclear power would be needed to back up wind and solar power.