FARMERS are pushing for constitutional change to shore up their rights to compensation if governments restrict the use of their land or water, arguing that a robust system of property rights is fundamental to capitalism.
Busloads of farmers will converge on Canberra tomorrow to protest against the erosion of these rights, which they argue are threatened by state vegetation laws and mining leases on farm land, The Australian Financial Review reports.
While the Australian constitution requires "just terms" compensation for the acquisition of property by the commonwealth, farmers say they have been short-changed when their property rights are curbed by state laws.
The rally, coinciding with the first day of federal parliament this year, has been heavily promoted and subsidised by the NSW Farmers Association, which argues it is a cause that goes beyond farming and has relevance for the whole economy.
Email a friend