Climate Change Authority boss challenged to see impacts of net zero on regions

Frustrated farmers have unloaded on the Climate Change Authority boss, claiming he has ‘no real experience’ with the problems faced in regional Australia.

Chair of the Climate Change Authority Matt Kean has been blasted by local farmers frustrated with renewables projects. Picture: John Appleyard

Farmers claim climate change warrior Matt Kean has “no real experience” of the issues facing regional Australia, including their unfolding battle against giant renewable energy projects.

It comes after the Climate Change Authority chairman referenced “the worst drought Australia has ever seen in recent memory” when justifying the need to dramatically slash pollution.

The Albanese Government has announced an emissions reduction target of between 62 and 70 per cent by 2035, a task which will require wind energy to quadruple over the next 10 years.

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce told Sky News on Sunday the push towards net zero was a “vanity project” and was “like a tax against meteorites”.

“I think it’s better if we just convince everybody, not just the Liberal Party, but I think Australians in general are over net zero,” Mr Joyce said.

“When I walk down the street, I don’t find people running up to me pleading that we stay in net zero.”

Barnaby Joyce claimed nobody was approaching him on the street to discuss net zero commitment, but Mr Kean referred to those whose lives had been disrupted by climate change. Picture: ABC

Responding directly to Mr Joyce’s claims, Mr Kean told Sky: “I don’t think the thousands of people who lost lives and livelihoods during the worst floods our country has ever seen up in Lismore, or the worst bushfires our country has ever seen … I don’t think they think this is a vanity exercise.

“And I don’t think the farmers that are on the frontline of this, that have seen the worst drought Australia has ever seen in recent memory, think this is a vanity exercise,” Mr Kean said.

Emma Webb, third-generation wool grower and President of the Binalong Bowning Community Action Group (BBCAG) took aim at mr Kean’s comments. Picture: Martin Ollman

Sheep farmer Emma Webb, who has been fighting the Bendenine Wind Farm near Yass, told The Daily Telegraph: “Farmers have been living with climate change every day, every season, every year.”

“I would love for Mr Keen to explain to our family why the landscape we have cared for over generations needs to be destroyed,” she said.

Derek Bush' on his farm in Bookham invited Mr Kean to see first hand how farm life works. Picture: Martin Ollman

Derek Bush, whose farm is based in the town of Bookham, added: “Matt Kean needs to actually get into a farming community and see first hand the impacts Net Zero is having.”

“Linking everything to climate change doesn’t help anyone,” Mr Bush said.

“Those of us who have lived and breathed farming know that you expect inconsistent weather patterns, droughts, horrible commodity prices and just plain bad luck.”

Mr Bush is currently at war with Squadron, the renewable energy company owned by billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, which is attempting to build 94 turbines, each more than 250m tall.

Wind turbines seen from Binalong Picture: Martin Ollman

He is attempting to have the proposed structures moved further away from his property, after rejecting a neighbour agreement worth up to $50,000 per year.

Mr Kean, a former NSW Coalition Treasurer and Energy Minister, declined to comment further when contacted on Sunday.

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Originally published as Climate Change Authority boss challenged to see impacts of net zero on regions