Farmer Ben Duxson praised the Coalition's decision to scrap a regional renewable energy project, calling the move a "fantastic day" for farmers.
The decision highlights a growing tension between national renewable energy targets and the land rights of agricultural producers in regional Australia. For many farmers, these large-scale projects represent a threat to their livelihoods and land autonomy.
Duxson said the outcome was the result of significant effort and collective action. He said that the movement known as Farmers FightBack was established because agricultural workers felt their concerns were being overlooked by leadership at multiple levels of government.
"It’s a fantastic day. It’s taken a lot of work, been a lot of people behind the scenes, and we started the Farmers FightBack for the very reason that we weren’t being heard," Duxson said.
The Coalition has pledged that, if elected, it will cancel the renewable project in question. This policy shift aims to address the grievances of rural landowners who argue that the rapid rollout of green energy infrastructure often bypasses local consultation.
Duxson expressed frustration with previous attempts to communicate these concerns to officials. He said that farmers were not being heard federally or within the state government before the Coalition's intervention.
The dispute centers on the impact of energy infrastructure on regional farming operations. While the government has pushed for a transition to renewable sources, the Coalition's promise to scrap the project aligns with a platform of protecting primary producers from forced land use changes.
“"It’s a fantastic day."”
This development signals a strategic pivot by the Coalition to secure the rural vote by positioning itself as a defender of agricultural land against state-mandated energy transitions. It underscores a deepening divide in Australia between urban-driven climate goals and the practical land-use concerns of regional farming communities.
