Eden-Monaro's drought and bushfire-stricken farmers are demanding that candidates in the area's upcoming byelection commit to meaningful climate change policies.
In an open letter published in local newspapers today, nearly 60 primary producers from across the electorate say they experienced the impacts of climate change first hand when they battled the worst bushfires in living memory over summer.
Eden-Monaro needs a representative who understands the threat that climate change poses to their livelihoods and is part of the solution, the farmers say.
The signatories are supporters of the non-partisan climate movement, Farmers for Climate Action.
Farmers for Climate Action CEO Wendy Cohen says that climate change is clearly firming as a key issue in the Eden-Monaro byelection.
"Farmers and rural communities are on the front lines of our changing climate. Droughts, floods and last summer's devastating bushfires - they're all becoming par for the course," she said.
"The signatories to this letter do not want to take sides in the political process but rather are asking candidates to acknowledge the enormous threat that climate change is posing to farmers and the communities they support, and commit to doing something about it.
"The time to act on climate change is now. Eden-Monaro needs a representative who will advocate for new jobs and opportunities in the electorate as part of a national transition away from fossil fuels."
