10 December 2024. Michael Guerin, AgForce CEO.
This current Federal Government came to office committing to reach a balance between environmental stewardship and economic development.
Key parts of that promise were accelerating action on climate change, enhancing biodiversity conservation, and increasing support for sustainable agricultural practices.
However, as we head toward a critical 2025 Federal election, the widening gap between rhetoric and outcomes is concerning, particularly for landscapes and the farming sector.
While steps have been made to introduce policies reducing Australia's carbon footprint and better protect habitat, many lack the funding necessary for these initiatives to succeed. They’re also marked by insufficient or non-existent consultation, and no clear implementation frameworks to enable meaningful impact.
Farmers, who are on the frontline of environmental challenges, often feel sidelined in the development of these policies that directly affect their livelihoods. And this needs to change.
Initiatives such as carbon farming have shown potential, but remain hampered by administrative complexity. They also lack integration with broader agricultural strategies.
As the 2025 Federal Election approaches, it is essential that all political parties provide clear, actionable commitments to address this crucial intersection of environmental care and agricultural prosperity. From our industry perspective, we look to each political party to commit to the following principles:
Collaborative Policymaking: Policies affecting landscapes and agriculture should be developed with genuine input from farmers, industry representatives, and regional communities. Co-design ensures that solutions are practical and achievable.
Sustainable Resource Management: Tangible measures for assessing soil health, water security, and biodiversity enhancement, with specific support programs that integrate sustainable practices into practical, everyday farming operations.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation: Investment in infrastructure, research, and technology to support farmers mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Transparent Funding and Implementation: Clear budgets, timelines, and accountability mechanisms for all environmental and agricultural policies to ensure promises become real-world outcomes.
Recognition of the Agricultural Sector’s Role in Environmental Stewardship: Farmers are key allies in achieving Australia's environmental goals. Policies should reflect their dual role as food producers and custodians of the land, with appropriate incentives and support.
Australian landscapes and agricultural communities need leadership that prioritises long-term vision over short-term politicking.
Environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity are too important to be lost in bureaucratic obfuscation. They are not opposing goals, but rather mutually beneficial pillars of national success.