AS the Federal Nationals debate their official climate stance, local politicians have reiterated their firm support for action so long as it does not disadvantage regional communities.
For several months Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh has distanced the state party from its federal counterpart.
During the recent Farmers for Climate Action webinar he summarised the difference.
“When you talk about The Nationals and climate change, the Victorian Nationals are very separate from our federal colleagues,” Mr Walsh said.
“Our state conferences have had motions supporting more action on climate, so don’t brand us with our federal colleagues on this particular issue, please.”
The Victorian Nationals have already signed up to back net-zero emissions by 2050 and want to see a similar commitment at a federal level before United Nations climate talks in November.
As his federal colleagues dive deeper into discussions, Mr Walsh is encouraged by the positions of Damian Drum, Darren Chester and Michael McCormack, who are supporting more action on climate change.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said Queensland MP Matt Canavan and like-minded colleagues were “outliers”, and that whatever was decided The Nationals did not want regional communities to bear the brunt of climate action.
“My own view is that the Mallee is heading in the right direction, with direct investment from private industry and the Federal Government,” Dr Webster said.
“We support the goal (of net-zero emissions) but we need a rational process that relies on technology, not mums and dads.”
Dr Webster cited the success of solar generation in Kerang, a $15 million federal investment in a solar hydro-power plant at Carwarp and the western Victorian transmission project as examples of the progress being made.
Dr Webster argued Australia was already doing significantly more than many other countries, even though the government had not firmly committted by net-zero emissions by 2050.
She said of nations who had made this commitment, “only 14 have plans”.
Of her local constituents, she estimated 20 per cent had identified climate as the most important issue. More than twice that, however, had said the climate was not an issue or was of “low importance”.
“Their priorities were roads, the cost of living, energy affordability, other priorities,” Dr Webster said. “And some people say you’re drinking the Kool-Aid, it’s all false, a bit like with coronavirus.”
Federal Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has said his party would not commit to net-zero emissions until seeing how much such commitments would cost, particularly for agriculture and regional Australia.
Mr Walsh last week said he did not think that approach was the way to drive debate forward.
“I’ve said to him, as deputy prime minister, you are in a very opportune spot to help agriculture … and make sure there’s a framework that doesn’t disadvantage people, but actually delivers the right outcome,” Mr Walsh said.
Mr Walsh called for a Federal Government framework to co-ordinate climate action and give people parameters to work with.
That view was echoed by National Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson, who said the government needed to set a target everyone could work towards.
The Farmers for Climate Action webinar launched a report that found agriculture could reach net-zero emissions by 2040 without reducing herd size.
Asked if this was a promise he’d be willing to make for agriculture, Mr Walsh said all Australian energy sectors needed to be considered together, though some could achieve that goal 10 years earlier than the 2050 date.
The webinar also discussed how farmers could earn up to $43 billion extra income through carbon farming measures, according to consultancy firm EY.
Mr Walsh said high-carbon soils meant higher production for farmers “so there’s certainly some synergy there”.
He congratulated Mallee farmers on what they had already achieved, using direct-drill, minimum till and groundcover management to lift soil quality.
“With the right information and technology, they’ve already made a huge leap forward,” he said.
The Nationals will hold a formal debate on their target on October 17.
