Farmers from all over Queensland are returning home after sending a clear message to politicians and industry Queensland Parliament House: We want a clean future.
Farmers for Climate Action's Sustainable Agriculture Luncheon and Parliamentary Reception, held in the Queensland Parliament House yesterday (Tuesday, 10/9), sold out all 200 tickets within a fortnight and was attended by MPs across the political spectrum as well as dozens of Queensland farmers.
Guests saw videos of farmers telling their stories about how climate change had hurt their businesses and how clean energy income had helped them and made their farms more productive and profitable.
Guests then heard speeches on sustainable agriculture from both the Government and the Opposition, and the Minister and Opposition spokesperson took questions from farmers and media on the floor.
Farmers for Climate Action CEO Natalie Collard thanked both sides of Queensland politics for their commitment to deep pollution reduction this decade, and thanked the dozens of farmers from across Queensland who came to deliver the message.
"In poll after poll, most farmers say climate change is the biggest issue they're facing," Ms Collard said.
"We applaud the bipartisan support shown by Queensland political leaders to deep pollution reduction this decade.
"The best way to achieve results in politics and in life is to be in the room with decision makers, having respectful, humble and constructive conversations. Australia has a tradition of clean, green farming and we want to be able to farm forever. We want our kids to be able to farm like we have.
"Farmers have also sent a clear message that clean energy makes farms more productive and more profitable. Farmers are receiving offers of more than $40,000 per wind turbine per year, and up to $1500 per hectare per year to host solar - and still farming cattle and sheep on that land.
"We thank all the MPs from across Queensland politics for showing their support for sustainable farming yesterday and we look forward to seeing our political leaders deliver deep pollution reduction this decade from right across the economy."
Farmers for Climate Action took farmer delegations to meet several Ministers and Shadow Ministers following the luncheon.
