Senate debates

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

Committees

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee; Reference

3:41 pm

Photo of Rachel SiewertRachel 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.

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