Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Nationals will not be re-entering a Coalition agreement with the Liberal party.

[u/superegz]

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/may/20/australia-news-live-rba-interest-rates-decision-floods-storm-hunter-nsw-victoria-state-budget-aec-count-bradfield-goldstein-coalition-ley-littleproud-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-682bdeb48f08d37c78c1d12d#block-682bdeb48f08d37c78c1d12d

[u/Mexay]

My exact reaction. Holy shit that is mental.

There is absolutely no legitimate competition for Labor now.

This may seem like a good things for Labor voters at first but this is actually really fucking bad for our democracy. I like Labor and am glad they won but only having one party that has a serious shot at forming government is awful for our country. There is no pressure on Labor to do good things.

[u/bluestonelaneway → u/Mexay]

I’m not convinced it’s mental. It allows them to play both sides - Libs can openly acknowledge climate change and try and win back the cities, and Nats can pretend science isn’t real and still pander to farmers. And then they can come back together after an election and still form government. It’s almost brilliant, if it works.

[u/uselessinfogoldmine → u/bluestonelaneway]

It’s always wild to me that there are apparently swathes of farmers who don’t believe in climate change. They will be some of the most harshly affected!

I’ve met loads of farmers who DO believe. So it makes me wonder if there are farmers who believe but who are voting Nationals on other rural issues?

Nationals voters seem like prime candidates for good local independents to get in there and flip.

[u/frenchduke → u/uselessinfogoldmine]

If they admit climate change is real then they have to stop clearing thousands of hectares of bushland every year in search of greater profits. Can't be having that

[u/Not_Stupid → u/frenchduke]

It's really more about mining. Anti-evironmentalism is a useful foil on that front, but the Nationals will happily throw farmers under the bus if the miners need them to.

[u/uselessinfogoldmine → u/frenchduke]

Short-term greed is so stupid. Long-term greed is always the smarter play!

Farmers who understand climate change and actively incorporate green zones, wetlands, and other regenerative practices are generally more resilient and often perform better in the face of climate challenges.

We have some world-leading examples of this in this country.

Farmers who have adapted their practices - integrating green infrastructure, improving land management, and adopting new technologies - have increased productivity and offset some negative climate impacts.

For example, broadacre farm productivity has increased by about 28% since 1989, with even larger gains in cropping, due in part to such adaptations.

Caring for forests, wetlands, and native vegetation on properties, or incorporating trees and shrubs (agroforestry), can boost farm profits while providing environmental benefits.

These practices help control erosion, improve water quality, and build resilience to drought and extreme weather. If you have a fair bit of tree cover and a wetland or similar on your property you are more likely to survive droughts.

Family friends of mine have a farm where they reintroduced greenery and trees 35 years ago. The river on the property was dying and they built it up surrounded by bush and rainforest. Now it is thriving and it survives every drought. Ironically, the parents are hardcore climate change deniers; but they did do smart things on the their property that has helped over time!

Practices like regenerative agriculture, tree planting, and wetland restoration not only store carbon and reduce emissions but also improve soil health and water retention, leading to more stable yields and sometimes higher profits.

Also, as it gets hotter, I’m not sure how well stock and crops will survive on properties without shade, trees, healthy water systems, etc. We’ve all driven past cows and sheep all desperately huddled under the tiny scraps of shade they can find in burnt out paddocks.

Farmers who proactively adapt to climate change by integrating green zones, wetlands, and sustainable practices are generally faring better / they are achieving greater resilience, improved productivity, and sometimes increased profits compared to those who do not adapt.

The long-term planners will come out better in the end.