THE HON DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP
Leader of The Nationals
Shadow Agriculture Minister
25 February 2026
18 million hectares of farmland required for Labor’s net zero target
Prime agricultural land the size of three Tasmanias could soon pave the way to achieve Labor’s net zero target.
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the agricultural land required by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) own calculations doesn’t factor in land that has already been sequestered.
It comes after Senate Estimates heard the ABARES Insights Sequestration on agricultural land: impacts and policy trade-offs report shows under the 119 million tonnes of land-based sequestration needed to achieve net zero, about 18 million hectares of sequestration projects would need to be established by 2050.
The eighteen million hectares could be the minimum agriculture land that is taken out of production, with no cap to be placed on halting the amount.
Mr Littleproud said that ABARES reports that one Local Government Area (LGA) Streaky Bay, SA, (Grey), will lose above 10 per cent of agriculture value that’s created in the region, while seven LGAs including Eyre Peninsula, SA, (Grey), Tenterfield, NSW, (New England), Warren, NSW, (Parkes), Chapman Valley, WA, (Durack), Northampton, WA, (Durack), Three Springs, WA, (Durack), and Cassowary Coast, QLD, (Kennedy), will lose between five and 10 per cent.
“Australia’s most productive agricultural areas and regional Australia is at risk under Labor’s net zero plan,” Mr Littleproud said.
“When supply goes down, prices go up, meaning families will feel the impact of Labor’s net zero goal and its consequences at the supermarket checkout.
“Concerningly, the Department has admitted there is absolutely no financial plan or grants to support the LGAs that will lose their agricultural value, despite the fact these regions require farms and their employees to thrive.”
Mr Littleproud added Labor hypocritically suggests Australia’s food security is not at risk, as Australia exports 70 per cent.
“The Department claims food production isn’t at risk, but the report estimates 55 per cent of sequestration would occur in the wheat-sheep and high rainfall zones – Australia’s most productive areas. These areas will never recover but families will bear the brunt amid a cost-of-living crisis.”
Link to Estimates:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/pmo6cezpxqjvi9mzd62d0/AKvmLdwrgmIcs_BmIcWsxo0?rlkey=8dqjr4dzrqp2n73q8tba6l097&st=tefe1u7f&dl=0
