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Heat on over drought aid reform
26 Jul 2004
Federal and state agriculture ministers will meet tomorrow and consider measures to speed up the provision of drought assistance. The draft agenda for the meeting includes recommendations that governments endorse a more proactive approach to drought assistance, so that farmers can get help even before their incomes drop sharply. Under this plan, eligibility for assistance would be linked to an assessment of the impact of the drought on farm production.
The agenda papers stated, however, that a proposal to create a uniform national drought-declaration process needs to be investigated further. A proposal to shift emphasis from drought support to drought preparedness is also flagged for "further investigation".
Labor's agriculture spokesman Gavan O'Connor said it's disappointing that these issues still require further examination. He accused Agriculture Minister Warren Truss of taking the "easy option" of holding summits and arguing with the states. A spokesman for Mr Truss countered that the minister had been attempting to initiate drought policy reform since before the recent drought, but the states have been unwilling to put up funds.
Australian Financial Review, 26/7/04.
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