Chris Trevor (Flynn, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Let me begin by saying that the Rudd Labor government recognises the seriousness of the drought situation across rural Australia. The Rudd Labor government has a very able and well-liked Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. His first priority was to visit and meet with the people of rural Australia to see firsthand and to hear directly about people’s experiences, their views and ideas. I am told he has seen and heard of, just as I have as the federal member for Flynn, a drought unprecedented in duration and whose effects are profound and lasting. He has seen, as I have as the federal member for Flynn, cattle struggling, pastures depleted and shallow and dry dams and river beds. He has, as I have, met distressed farmers trying to make important business decisions under stress and still considering the range of needs of their families. He has witnessed, as I have, resilience and great hope.

The Rudd government recognises that drought and climate change are the greatest challenges facing rural Australia. The Rudd government is determined to assist our farmers to build even more competitive, productive and sustainable agricultural industries. The government is looking at how we can help farmers and their families do this. That is why, on 23 April, the minister, Tony Burke, announced a comprehensive review of drought policy to determine the best policy for managing drought in the context of a changing climate. Our approach in this review is to comprehensively examine all the aspects of drought, including the climate scenarios we will most likely face, the social impacts—which are all too often forgotten—and the economic issues involved. A final report is expected to be delivered to the government in February. We thank everyone who took the time to provide submissions or to meet with the expert social panel headed by chairman Peter Kenny, a great ambassador and advocate for the bush.

A concern many farmers have raised with both the minister and me in my electorate of Flynn is the issue of lines on a map. This is one of the critical elements of drought policy which the government believes needs careful consideration. The current system allows neighbouring farms with identical needs to see one farm receiving assistance while the other receives nothing. We believe that we can do better, and we are examining this model in detail. The minister is to be commended for his dedicated work in this area.

It is important to reiterate tonight that the drought policy review will not affect anyone receiving assistance in a current exceptional circumstances declared area. This review is about preparing for the next drought. The government will not be walking away from farmers in difficulty. The Australian government will continue to support those farmers and businesses in need in current EC declared areas.

The government has also recently announced the extension of EC declarations for 33 areas that were due to expire on 30 September 2008. When the Rudd Labor government was elected, one of its first priorities was to visit and meet with people of rural Australia to see firsthand and to hear directly about people’s experiences, their views and ideas. Drought policy was initially based on a model of a one in 20- to 25-year event and EC assistance was supposed to be short term. Due to the length of the current drought, some areas have been exceptional circumstances declared for many years. For example, some areas in Queensland have been declared EC for eight years, and well over half of New South Wales has been EC declared for at least five years. When some areas of Australia have been in EC for eight years something just does not seem right. There needs to be a policy change. In recognition of this, the Rudd Labor government has commenced a national review of drought policy to determine the best policy for managing drought in the context of a changing climate. Current policy is not suitable in a changing climate.

We need to prepare for drought in the way we farm and the way we manage our farm businesses. That is why, on 23 April this year, the government announced a comprehensive review of drought policy to determine the best policy for managing drought in the context of a changing climate. The government does not want to pre-empt the findings of the drought review but it will present the government with options to improve drought policy so that it helps farmers adapt and respond to the effects of a changing climate. I applaud the fine work Minister Tony Burke is doing in this portfolio.

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