As a Member of the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, Senator Heffernan is currently involved in an inquiry investigating the challenges that the Australian Agricultural sector faces given the changing climatic environment within which the industry currently operates and will continue to operate moving forward.
Specifically the Committee is examining:
o The scientific evidence available on the likely future climate of Australia's key agricultural production zones, and its implications for current farm enterprises and possible future industries;
o The need for a national strategy to assist Australian agricultural industries to adapt to climate change; and
o The adequacy of existing drought assistance and exceptional circumstances programs to cope with long-term climatic changes.
Public hearings were held in early July and an interim report was handed down on 4 September 2008.
For further information regarding the inquiry please visit:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/climate_change/index.htm
