Farmers Call for Energy Independence
Farmers for Climate Action released a report on 9th June at the Tractor Museum of WA, calling for the protection of the farm diesel rebate and investment in electric farm machinery.
The report, titled 'Energy Sovereignty for Regional Australia: Protecting Farmers, Powering the Future,' outlines strategies for reducing costs and improving energy security by transitioning to locally produced clean energy and sustainable biofuels.
Wild fuel prices, supply insecurity, and rising input costs have made it necessary for Australian farmers to shift from imported fuel dependence to resilient local energy systems.
The roadmap recommends capping the Fuel Tax Credit Scheme for the largest claimants while ensuring that farmers continue to benefit from the diesel rebate, accelerating the transition to electric machinery.
Advocating for Energy Independence
Electrification of farm equipment using on-farm clean energy presents a significant opportunity for cost reduction, as noted by the report. This transition is also aimed at ensuring fuel security, energy sovereignty, and self-reliance for rural communities.
Western Australian mixed farmer, Simon Wallwork, highlighted the benefits of generating clean energy on-farm, stating, "By embracing these new tools, we can capture the benefits of the energy shift while making our farms much more resilient and productive."
Farmers are already adopting electric solutions for irrigation, water pumps, and processing machinery, reducing diesel use significantly. The shift beyond diesel for heavy industry is also underway, with companies like Linfox and Janus Trucks operating electric trucks on major routes.
South Australian grazier Ellen Litchfield emphasised the need for policy changes, stating, "The roadmap finds that farmers should be guaranteed access to the diesel fuel rebate, but discount diesel should be capped for the biggest mining companies to protect the financial sustainability of the rebate."
The report suggests using biofuels as a temporary measure for older tractors while transitioning to electric systems for equipment like pumps and cool rooms to permanently lower farm operating costs.
Farmers for Climate Action CEO, Verity Morgan-Schmidt, remarked, "The fuel supply disruption has highlighted just how vulnerable our sector is. The time has come for us to look at all sensible options to accelerate our shift towards energy sovereignty."
The press conference featured conventional farm machinery alongside retrofit hybrid landcruisers and electric vehicles, illustrating the potential for technological advancements in agriculture.
Last updated: 10 June 2026, 1:15 am
