Address to Farmers for Climate Action, Canberra

MONDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2025
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[Acknowledgments omitted]

Ten years ago, there was frustration at the lack of action on climate change.  

They were experiencing the impact of our changing climate every day.  

They are still experiencing the longer, hotter summers; the delayed winter rains; the intense rainfall events or the ever-greater intensity of droughts and natural disasters.  

These all impact farmers’ ability to farm, to produce the food and fibres we know and love and that are traded around the globe.  

It has been industry that has led the charge in acting on climate change.  

While the-then Government were arguing about whether climate change was real, it was industry who were forging ahead and setting their own climate targets and searching for ways to be part of the solution.

And our agriculture sector has already made tremendous progress on this front.  

Australia’s emissions intensities are below average for livestock and grains compared to major developed country producers and exporters.  

Australia has reduced agricultural emissions by 20% over the last 30 years.

Australian farmers are world leaders in sustainable practices – using less fertiliser and producing more food with fewer emissions than almost anywhere else.

Australia’s application of nitrogen fertiliser is 90% lower than the Netherlands, 81% lower than France and 74% lower than the United States.

Australia also has very low on-farm emissions.  

A basket of agricultural goods produced in Australia produces 42% less emissions than in the United States, 29% less than the EU and 12% less than New Zealand.

These statistics enable Australia to remain as globally competitive as we are, and supports our $79 billion of agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports to 169 markets.  

This is something of which we should be immensely proud.  

While Australian farmers have made progress, as a Government we know there is more to do.

Today, I’m proud to be part of a Government who takes acting on climate change seriously, and partners with industry to match and support their own climate ambition.  

That is why Australia has committed to net zero target by 2050.

You would all be aware that we have been developing an Agriculture and Land Sector Plan, one of six sector plans that will underpin Australia’s net zero transition.

Agriculture and land have already made valuable contributions to Australia’s emissions reduction efforts, but there will be more to do and industry leadership from those of you in the room tonight will be critical.  

But continuing to improve will bring opportunities.

Agriculture can remain a global leader in low emissions food and fibre production while balancing carbon storage and conservation.

We have made numerous commitments to support agriculture become more resilient and adapt to climate change, as well as support to reduce emissions.  

These include:  

• $302 million to the NHT Climate-Smart Ag Program
• $519 million to the Future Drought Fund;  
• and $60 million as part early action towards the Agriculture & Land Plan.  

These programs have delivered projects that look at practical, deliverable means of reducing emissions, improving biodiversity, managing soil health and supporting research.

Additionally we have commenced work on the National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy.  

Providing feedstocks for bioenergy opens up new commercial opportunities for our farmers and foresters, while reducing emissions in our aviation, maritime and transport sectors.

I know many of you in the room tonight have had input into the Ag and Land Plan, and we look forward to being able to talk and share more about it in the very near future.  

The data we have on climate indicates Australia’s weather has become hotter and drier, so it’s likely to mean more frequent, longer lasting, and intense droughts.

The Albanese Labor Government recognises the far-reaching impacts of drought — not just for farmers, their businesses, and their livelihoods, but for their families and communities.

And we can no longer talk about drought resilience in isolation to climate adaptation and mitigation.

On Friday, the Prime Minister made an exciting announcement in relation to the Regional Investment Corporation – including an additional $1 billion investment into it as well as the broadening of RIC’s loan scope to include assistance for improving climate resilience, boosting sector productivity, and supporting agriculture to be part of Australia’s net zero transition.

We are committed to providing tools and support to farming communities across the entire drought cycle — to help them prepare for, manage through and recover from the impacts of drought.  

A key part of this approach is the Future Drought Fund, or the FDF.

The FDF is a major investment by the Albanese Government that provides secure and continuous funding to help farmers and regional communities to prepare for drought and strengthen their climate resilience.  

Under the FDF, we invest in programs to help farmers grow and prepare their businesses for dry conditions.

These include farm business resilience planning, climate tools and developing drought resilient farming practices.  

And we support agriculture-dependent communities by investing in strong local planning, networks and leadership.

Because the Australian landscape is vast and diverse, we know that sustainable communities and farms will vary from state to state, region to region.  

Our programs are designed to be flexible and responsive to on-ground conditions, and work with farming communities across the country.

Australia punches above its weight in food production, exporting around 70 per cent of agricultural production, with our food system underpinned by strong food safety and biosecurity measures.

But we cannot afford to be complacent or ignore new and emerging challenges facing our food system, including those from a changing climate.

In response to these challenges, we have committed $3.5 million in the 2025-26 Budget to developing a national food security strategy - Feeding Australia.

We’ve opened public consultation for everyone to have their say on how we can work towards a more productive, resilient and secure food system for Australia.

We have also called for expressions of interest in our National Food Council.

I hope everyone present will take the time to get involved in both initiatives.  

We want the experts to weigh in on how we can produce the best results for the country, and you are our experts.

I want to thank you all again for coming tonight.  

I’m looking forward to the outcomes and ideas from this summit and the ongoing engagement with you all.

It is critical that industry unites to work with Government on achieving real and lasting change.

Together, we can make sure Australian farming not only survives in a changing climate – but thrives, leading the world in clean, sustainable food and fibre.

Thank you.