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Farmers get new drought bail-out
27 Aug 2004
Australia is facing an additional $300 million in assistance to farmers in Queensland and western NSW, where poor rains are threatening to devastate Winter crops and crush hopes of a rural recovery. Severe rainfall shortages span an area from Mackay in northern Queensland down to the NSW south coast.
Agriculture Minister Warren Truss will announce an extension in drought aid for western NSW's Bourke/Brewarrina region today. Mr Truss also said the Winter crop in Queensland is "very poor indeed", one of the worst ever - the drought has devastated it.
Parts of northern Victoria are also very short of rain. Income assistance in 35 drought-declared areas is due to finish by the end of December, but many will require another year of relief.
The Australian, 27/8/04.
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