Independent member for Indi Helen Haines lays out plan for government to help farmers tackle climate change

Combining for change: Queensland farmer Verity Morgan-Schmidt, member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, Farmers for Climate Action deputy chairman and woolgrower Charlie Prell, Helen Haines, ANU climate scientist Steve Crimp and member for Warringah Zali Steggall in Canberra on Monday at a media conference.
THE member for Indi applauds the federal government funding new dams but says it is not enough to "future proof" agriculture.
Helen Haines was commenting in parliament on Monday night as she put a motion calling for a plan to tackle climate change.
She flagged "six concrete ways" that included more spending on research, paying farmers for emissions management and exporting expertise.
"If the rest of the world continues to emit unabated it will spell the end of farming here, so if we care about farming we need to build a zero carbon future here and sell it to the world," Dr Haines said.
She said without climate action agricultural production would decline 17 per cent in the next 30 years.
The Independent MP was praised by Tasmanian Liberal MP Bridget Archer for putting up a measured and reasonable motion.
Eight politicians, including Laborites and Nationals, spoke on the motion before it was adjourned.