The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association today called on new Tasmanian PUP senator Jacqui Lambie to back Australian farmers, including Tasmanians, who are providing carbon credits through the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI).
The federal government is abolishing the carbon tax, a move that the Palmer United Party backs. The timing of the implementation of any subsequent emissions trading scheme is uncertain but the government is amending the CFI legislation to support and expand the regime of carbon credits.
The CFI legislation establishes an Emissions Reduction Fund and reverse auction system to capture existing CFI projects as well as a range of future projects all of which will make a significant and cost effective contribution to tackling climate change.
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis is seeking urgent talks with Senator Lambie, whose term begins on Tuesday, to secure her support for the CFI Amendment Bill.
“Many of our farmers have made significant investments in improving carbon storage and avoiding emissions associated with agricultural activities,” Ms Davis said.
“These projects not only make a significant contribution to tackling climate change, they improve the sustainability and viability of many family farms.
“The CFI Amendment Bill has to be passed so that these investments are not wasted and the benefits to the world’s climate are fully realised.”
One of those farmers, Roderic O’Connor of Connorville, Cressy, said PUP’s support for the change was critical.
“We must have continuity for these projects,” he said.
“In the absence of an emissions trading scheme or the current compliance market under the Clean Energy Act, farmers will be left high and dry.
“While we understand that the policy of the Palmer United Party is to support an ETS, implementation of any such scheme (should the government agree) would occur at some indeterminate time in the future.
“Farmers must at least have an interim market until such time as an ETS is operational. The Reverse Auction Scheme proposed under the CFI Amendment Bill would fill a void and encourage relatively low cost abatement,” Mr O’Connor said.
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis
