The following statements are attributable to Dr Helen Haines MP, Independent Federal Member for Indi:

I welcome National Farmers’ Federation backing my bill to set up the Australian Local Power Agency.

Australians farmers understand that investment in renewables could bring an economic boom to regional Australia – if we plan it right.

They know that the Government must do more so we don’t miss out on the renewable boom that is already underway.

My Australian Local Power Agency bill does what the Government, in its 9 years in power, has not done – it offers a tangible plan for regional Australia to benefit from renewable energy.

Last night, the Prime Minister told a business dinner in Sydney that we will not achieve net zero emissions in the inner cities, but in the regions, and by working with the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.

Well the regions are speaking, the National Farmers’ Federation is speaking, and we are calling on the Government to do more.

It’s all good and well to tell Sydney businesspeople that we need to support the regions, but the Government actually needs policies to back that up.

The Australian Local Power Agency is a ready-made policy, from regional Australia, for regional Australia.

I thank Tony Mahar, CEO of the NFF, for our productive discussions about the need to put regional communities in the driving seat of the renewable transition.

And I look forward to working more with the NFF to make this a reality.

I have called on the Government to allocate $483 million in this upcoming Budget to establish the Australian Local Power Agency.

I sincerely hope they back up their words with action, and fund the agency in the May Budget.

Read the NFF’s media statement backing in the Australian Local Power Agency.