Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Dorothea Mackellar had it in one:

I love a sunburnt country,

A land of sweeping plains,

…   …   …

Of droughts and flooding rains.

While drought has long been part of the Australian agricultural life, mitigating drought is critical, because it is a challenging and recurring and increasing theme. The Morrison-Joyce government is investing almost $115,000 in my electorate of Mallee to enhance drought resilience through the Future Drought Fund.

This week I met with Nicole Byrnes, the new chairperson of Mallee Sustainable Farming, one of the recipient organisations in this first round of funding. I congratulate Nicole on her new position. MSF will use their grant to create an online learning community to allow farmers to engage in discussion and find solutions to manage soil in drought. Farmers listen to farmers. These forums will provide broadacre farmers in Mallee a platform to engage in forums that draw on the latest evidence based information to inform how to protect, manage and repair soils before, during and after drought. I also congratulate the Birchip Cropping Group and the Charlton Neighbourhood House, which will both also receive funding for their projects from the Future Drought Fund. Local farming leaders, such as Nicole from MSF, are on the front foot when it comes to preparing for the future as the climate changes. Our communities rely on lead organisations to pave the way for sustainable solutions to manage drought.

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