Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Milne, move:

That—

(a)

the Senate:

(i)

notes the dire state of agricultural production addressed in the latest report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Crop Report: 18 September 2007, No. 143,

(ii)

recognises the severe impact of a series of ongoing poor seasons on the livelihoods of Australian farmers and the knock-on effect on the well-being of associated rural communities, and

(iii)

notes the need to ensure the security of Australian food production; and

(b)

the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee for inquiry and report by 30 June 2008:

(i)

the scientific evidence available on the likely future climate of Australia’s key agricultural production zones, and its implications for current farm enterprises and possible future industries,

(ii)

the need for a national strategy to assist Australian agricultural industries to adapt to climate change, and

(iii)

the adequacy of existing drought assistance and exceptional circumstances programs to cope with long-term climactic changes.

• (iii)the adequacy of existing drought assistance and exceptional circumstances programs to cope with long-term climactic changes.

Question agreed to.