THE National Farmers Federation is having nothing to do with Tuesday's farmer rally at Parliament, where at least 1000 protestors are expected to demonstrate for recognition of property rights.
But the NFF says it won't be avoiding Parliament House altogether, and will pursue the property rights issue "diplomatically" at a series of ministerial meetings on the inside, while farmers rally outside.
More than 30 buses have been booked to bring farmers to Canberra for the farmer rally calling for compensation for property rights lost as a result of State and Federal legislation.
With many more convoys of cars also making their way to Canberra, organisers are expecting numbers at the demonstration to be in the thousands.
Opposition leader, Tony Abbott, is rumoured to be making a surprise appearance, while talkback radio identity Alan Jones will arrive at parliament by helicopter to address the crowd.
NSW Farmers Association chief executive officer, Shaughn Morgan, said the rally would show the Government that farmers were tired of politicians telling farmers what they can and can't do on their properties.
He said the concerns were not just about land clearing restrictions, but also the encroachment of mining into prime agricultural production regions, cutbacks to irrigation entitlements, carbon credit ownership and growing red-tape.
Farmers are calling for "just-terms" compensation for the loss of property rights as a result of both State and Federal Government decisions.
The Government has refused to have anything to do with the rally because it is connected to the 52-day hunger strike of Monaro district farmer, Peter Spencer.
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, was invited to speak, but organisers have had no response from his office.
NFF president, David Crombie, said his organisation's distance from the event was not because they did not believe in or support the property rights cause.
To the contrary, he says NFF has been actively pressing these issues in parliament and believe NFF can be "more effective" fighting for better recognition of property rights in the courts and in Parliament House.
Mr Crombie said he clearly understood the frustration of farmers and rural communities, particularly in relation to native vegetation and land clearing laws.
He said the rally was "thoroughly justified".
"There are a whole range of issues where a farmers' right to their property is being challenged," Mr Crombie said.
"It's why we've been so active on this in the parliament and in the courts.
"We need to, and have been, constantly addressing this issue, but the actions of those farmers expressing their frustrations at the rally is understandable and thoroughly justified."
Mr Crombie said the rally would "bring to a head" and put some clarity on the issue and its importance to regional Australians, and the fact that in their minds "nothing seems to be happening".
The NSW Farmers Association, which is bank-rolling the rally, is one of the more cashed-up and influential members of the National Farmers' Federation and is calling for a Royal Commission into property rights.
Mr Crombie said that was not NFF's position, but supported NSW Farmers' for its role in the rally.
* Regular updates, plus photos and video will be posted on FarmOnline during the course of Tuesday's protest.
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