National Climate Risk Assessment

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:34): Sorry to draw the chamber's attention away from the riveting issues of documents. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the National Climate Risk Assessment.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: This week, Australia's first National Climate Risk Assessment was published. It warns of widespread impacts from sea level rise, an increase in heatwave deaths, and major impacts to nature, even under a best-case scenario. The report identified six nationally significant climate risks for primary industries and food. These include reduced crop productivity, negative impact on animal welfare and livestock operations, localised food insecurity, and migration away from high-risk regions. The federal climate change minister, Chris Bowen, has said:

One thing that is very clear from this climate assessment is that our whole country has a lot at stake.

The cost of inaction will always outweigh the cost of action.

My question to the minister, therefore, is: given the impact on South Australian regions, has the minister read the National Climate Risk Assessment report and if not, why not? Will her government finally commit to axing all subsidies to the fossil fuel industry?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for his question. The National Climate Risk Assessment report he mentioned came out, I think, earlier this week—maybe yesterday or the day before yesterday. No, I haven't read it at this time. What I can say, though, is that we have a very significant dedication to reducing emissions in pursuit of reducing the climate challenges that we currently face.

I think I have spoken before in this place, for example, about the net zero emissions agriculture projects. A total of $8.4 million over five years was committed towards new research, development and extension initiatives that will deliver solutions towards a net zero agriculture future. As part of that particular initiative, SARDI is involved in research and development in methane mitigation in livestock and agronomic practices to reduce emissions and improve carbon sequestration.

SARDI is also working with industry partners, such as farming groups and agtech startups, to pilot and test innovative technologies or practices at research centres or on private farms. It is participating in research and extension projects as a tier 2 partner in the net zero emissions from the Agriculture CRC and working with the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) to develop and implement a low emissions intensity farming systems initiative.

SARDI is also investigating partnerships with research and development corporations and other research organisations or private technology enterprises to leverage specialised expertise in allied research and development areas, such as remote sensing, machine learning and AI. That particular net zero agriculture initiative is expected to leverage commonwealth and industry contributions as well.

I use that as an example of the commitment towards addressing the climate challenges that we have. I would also like to emphasise that a number of the agricultural peak bodies are also doing work in this space. We are very pleased to be able to partner with them, either directly or indirectly, in many of their initiatives, as well as trials.