We got your messages through

A week ago today we wrote to our supporters to see if they could email the PM and ask him to read the Rural Futures report our Board member and Harden farmer, Peter Holding, gave him at the National Farmers Federation Congress. Over 1000 people across the country wrote messages. 

We wanted to make sure the PM really heard the message loud and clear in the lead up to tomorrow’s National Drought Summit.

So a small group of our farmers went to Officeworks, printed the messages, and drove them up to Parliament in Roger’s ute today.

Here’s a photo of us (Robyn, Peter, Anna & Roger) outside Parliament House about to deliver the messages:Unfortunately, the PM himself didn’t reply to our invitation to accept the messages in person.

However, the Independent MP, Rebekha Sharkie, agreed to meet us. She committed to personally hand the PM our two thick folders full of messages this afternoon. By the time you read this, she will have delivered it.  

Rebekha, who represents the electorate of Mayo in South Australia, spoke passionately with us about how farmers, wine grape growers and fruit & veggie producers in her region are already feeling the effects of climate change, from reduced rainfall to increasingly severe storms. It was a pleasure meeting with her.

The Rural Futures Report offers a clear vision for regional Australia – one that understands the threats posed by climate change and takes them seriously. It also acknowledges the economic benefits that will come from climate solutions, including capturing carbon in soils & vegetation, and transitioning to renewable energy.

We’ll be keeping up the pressure on all our elected leaders and continue to build relationships with politicians from all over in the lead up next year’s Election.

Thank you for having your say and standing with farmers on the front line of drought and climate change.

P.S. You can see a video of us out the front of Parliament House with a message to the PM  here.