Farmers for Climate Action has applauded various provisions in the recently released Federal Budget.
Farmers for Climate Action CEO Fiona Davis stated that the budget included numerous investments in climate, agriculture, emissions reduction, and rural Australia.
“The budget delivers big investments in regional renewable energy, something Farmers for Climate Action had called for just weeks ago in our Farm Powered report about renewables in the regions,” Davis said.
According to Davis, the Federal Budget also provides funds for emissions reductions in Australian agriculture and other direct payments to farmers.
“We’re pleased with the $20 billion in low-cost finance delivered in Rewiring the Nation. This will assist with transmission to connect the big renewables projects we know will put downward pressure on energy prices,” Davis added.
Davis said Farmers for Climate Action is especially pleased with the $302 million funding over five years allocated to assist the agriculture industry in creating more sustainable farming and land management.
“The $224.3 million over four years for 400 community batteries across Australia will help take pressure off the grid, and we know storage will be key to delivering reliable, affordable clean energy,” she stated.
According to Davis, Farmers for Climate Action has specifically requested more investment in assisting farmers in cutting emissions and more investment in asparagopsis, thus the $8 million in asparagopsis commercialisation is welcome.
“We are also pleased to see the $20 million investment to establish an outreach program to help Australian farmers and land managers to participate in carbon markets and integrate low emission technologies and practices,” Davis added.
The $1.9 billion Powering the Regions Fund, which will help companies, rural Australia, and communities transition to net zero emissions, is very welcome, according to Davis.
“The $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund investment names agriculture as one of seven priorities, and we look forward to seeing the detail of that investment. We welcome the $20.8 million over two years from 2022–23 to support Australia’s readiness to respond to drought events, which are of course driven by climate change,” Davis said.
Among the other notable investments are:
- Investment of $146 million in the course of five years for ARENA to co-invest in projects aiming to lower emissions from road transportation
- $89.5 million over six years, from 2022 to 2023, to fund hydrogen refuelling stations along critical freight routes
- $39.8 million over five years, from 2022 to 2023, to build a National Electric Vehicle Charging Network with 117 fast charging stations.
Farmers for Climate Action opposes taxpayer expenditures in new coal and gas initiatives that contribute to climate change.
