Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Davey, that is not the subject of the legislation before us. I also indicate that we've had some discussion with a number of senators—and I thank you all for your questions and your engagement—about the concerns as they are expressed. I think it's important to be clear about what the position of the National Farmers Federation is. They have, as you've indicated, raised questions about the interaction between the safeguard mechanism and farms, but they have said:

We need to find the balance between delivering carbon offsets and meeting our global food and fibre demands.

Importantly, this also means supporting farmers to make informed business decisions about their participation in carbon markets. That's why we're calling for greater investment in on-ground extension services.

I think that's a very constructive approach from the NFF. As I've indicated to other senators, a first step in our thinking about the recommendations that came to us from Professor Chubb is the implementation of arrangements for on-ground advice. That program was funded, I think, in the last budget.