15 Jan 2026
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Farmers have called for stronger climate policy and a new authority to assist with climate change adaptation
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The call is made in an open letter to political leaders
Farmers for Climate Action has called for stronger climate policy and the establishment of a new authority to help improve investment and coordination of climate adaptation in an open letter to political leaders as fires and floods hurt Australian farmers across the country.
The letter, addressed to each of PM Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, Nationals Leader David Littleproud and Greens Leader Larissa Waters, calls for:
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Cross party commitment to a climate policy response consistent with the science.
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Establishment of a new authority to help improve investment and coordination of climate adaptation.
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Positioning the needs of rural and regional communities at the centre of the shift to clean energy.
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A commitment to accountability and collaboration to support adaptation and climate resilience
Spokespeople:
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Strathbogie Ranges viticulturalist and Emeritus Professor from University of Melbourne; Snow Barlow.
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Farmers for Climate Action Acting CEO, Verity Morgan-Schmidt
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Greg Mullins AO AFSM - an Australian firefighter, a former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue New South Wales, a Climate Councillor with the Climate Council, and a founding member of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action.
Vigneron and Emeritus Professor of Horticulture and Viticulture at University of Melbourne, Professor Snow Barlow said Australia could invest in adaptation and reduce emissions at the same time.
“Farmers and rural communities are in the firing line every time these floods and fires rip through regional Australia,” Professor Barlow said.
“We face repeated extreme weather more and more often now as a result of a changing climate. Science has told us this for years, but we are now living the reality of these extreme weather events.”
“The reality is that we need to rapidly reduce emissions AND strengthen our support for adaptation. In signing the Farmers for Climate Action open letter, I’m calling on all political leaders to be led by science, to act pragmatically and to support a sustainable future for our agriculture sector.”
Farmers for Climate Action Acting CEO, Verity Morgan-Schmidt said “Extreme weather events including fire, flood, heatwave and drought are being made more likely as a result of climate pollution.”
“These events can no longer be viewed in isolation. These are the signals of climate change.”
“The cumulative impact of livestock and infrastructure losses, economic damage, increases in insurance cost and most importantly - the long lasting impacts on mental health and rural resilience need to be front and centre in the Australian political agenda.”
“While it may be farmers who are on the ground, the brutal reality is that climate change directly impacts all of us. Food security is national security, and it requires a stable climate.”
“Over 1,300 people have signed our open letter calling for stronger policy, improved management of the energy shift and better coordination of adaptation.”
“As we head into 2026 - we need all sides of politics to come together to deliver strong, science-led climate policy and practical outcomes for Australian farmers and rural communities.”
The Farmers for Climate Action open letter can be found here.
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Contact details:
Sean Kennedy - [email protected] - 0447 121 378