Janet Rice (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you. The Greens will be supporting this motion—I think so; I have not seen the amendment—but we want to note that it is not just an issue of gross value of agricultural income that is important in the growth and potential of the agricultural industry. We are also concerned about income to farms, not just broadacre farms but particularly income to farmers such as dairy farmers. We note that another criterion for whether we have a successful agricultural industry is the overall sustainability of agricultural industries and also note the impact of global warming. We note that this last year overall has had good rainfall and good conditions, but those sorts of conditions are going to be fewer and further between as global warming increases. In particular, you only need to look at the death of 47 dairy cows in the Shoalhaven with the heatwave that occurred there and the decrease in wheat yields to see the challenges for our agricultural industry in being able to fulfil its potential.

Question agreed to.