2017-02-24
Ian James
The recent floods in the wheatbelt have severely affected farmers in the Agricultural Region, myself included. I run a broadacre farm in Cunderdin and I have a deep respect and appreciation for the land, and for the communities who live in this vast electorate stretching from Kalbarri in the north, and inland to Bremer Bay in the south.
The recent severe weather brought massive rainfall in a very short time. Weather like this used to be a once in a hundred-year event, but now were experiencing it more frequently. The last flood of this scale was in 2013.
The resulting floods have caused stock losses, broken fences, loss of feed and pastures, plus roads and bridges have been damaged. Topsoil that took years to build up has been washed away and cant be recovered. The planned activities of many farmers have been disrupted and well spend months cleaning up the damage caused by this unseasonal weather.
As I campaign for the state election, Im telling farmers and communities in this region how The Greens plan to help us cope with these catastrophic events.
We want better synchronisation and organisation between the professional and volunteer regional firefighters and state emergency workers. Well provide them with the most up-to-date equipment, and work for better communications between these essential services. And well make sure theres good education about the latest firefighting and emergency management methods and equipment use.
As well as floods, this region has seen massive and destructive bush fires over the past few years, which have also increased in frequency and intensity. These changes are due to climate change primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels. The irony is that many farmers are now faced with the threat of unconventional gas extraction, such as fracking, on their land. This toxic method of gas extraction is dangerous to people, land and water and will ruin good farm land for decades to come, if not forever.
Fracking is affecting the Agricultural Region in places such as Dongara, Dandaragan and Gingin. But this is an issue for the whole state, from the Kimberley to Margaret River. Robin Chapple, Greens MLC for the Mining and Pastoral Region has been fighting to stop this for a long time, and I stand right by him on this.
Farmers are not in a strong position when it comes to fracking licences but that hasnt stopped them speaking out and calling on the wider community to help them stop these big corporations dangerous addiction to fossil fuels.
The Greens demand greater integrity and honesty in government. Its a big issue here. How do we know if corporate donations to the Liberal and National Parties, including those from fossil fuel companies, influence the decisions of elected members of Parliament? What we do know is that governments have often decided in favour of corporations with outcomes detrimental to farmers.
The privatisation of vital infrastructure is another example of corporate interests being put ahead of the communitys interests. We cannot support the privatisation of Western Power. This will adversely affect people in the regions because when private corporations chase only profits they will focus on the high-density population areas. It wouldnt be economical for them to maintain services in less dense, regional population areas.
Also, the vital and strategic infrastructure of Fremantle Port is threatened with privatisation. A privatised port, dominated by shareholder interests, means operators could control the flow of exports to maximise their profit rather than accommodate the needs of farmers trying to get crops to markets. Those who pay more will get preferential treatment and adversely affect smaller farmers in favour of big, multinational, corporate farms.
We dont have much choice here. Theres only a few ports where farmers can take their goods and these are often long distances apart, so theres little competition.
Even as I clean up after the most recent floods on my farm, Ill keep speaking out for a fair go for farmers, real action on climate change and climate mitigation measures, greater integrity in government, and keeping vital infrastructure in public hands.
The Greens are the genuine alternative to the old parties and the old ways of doing things.
Ian James
Photo: Ians farm, recovering from the storm. Ian James