Media Releases

27 May 2009 QFF FRUSTRATED BY FEDERAL DROUGHT DECISIONS

Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has expressed frustration and dismay that the Federal government has today decided to end drought assistance for many Queensland farmers and regions that have missed out on recent good rains.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke this morning announced that only one region and three smaller revised areas out of the 12 Exceptional Circumstances (EC) regions in Queensland will continue to receive federal drought assistance from June 15 following reviews by the National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC).

EC assistance in key agricultural areas in the Burnett and inner Darling Downs regions will end next month even though they face continuing water restrictions and inadequate opportunities for recovery after so many years of low rainfall.

“We are most frustrated that the government continues this divisive practice of lines on maps when we all know this past season’s summer rains were very uneven and many farmers still have not had an opportunity to recover from the long and exceptional drought,” QFF CEO Dan Galligan said.

Mr Galligan pointed out that the just released Productivity Commission report on Government Drought Support clearly found flaws in the current system, yet governments persist with the “inappropriate, ineffective and inequitable” processes that hinder Queensland farmers.

“Successive governments have failed to implement the much needed changes and once again we see Queensland farmers hurt by poor decision making and inadequate transition arrangements for drought recovery.”

“Some of these areas in the Burnett and Darling Downs still have not had drought breaking rains and some very tough decisions will have to be made by the many farmers with negative incomes and limited prospects for the future.”

“While today’s decisions are frustrating, it is the future we must look to.”

“QFF wants all levels of government to act with urgency to correct the very expensive flaws in current drought policies.”

“We see no reason to delay implementation of the sixteen Productivity Commission Recommendations tabled by the federal government earlier this month.”

“Farmers missing out on drought assistance now could at least look to the future and see government investment in drought preparedness as offering some hope for a more certain future.” 

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