Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator McMahon, for your question. I know you are very passionate about strong and prosperous regions, particularly for the Northern Territory.

From day one, the Liberal-National government has backed our farmers experiencing drought now and into the future. Our government believes in the productive capacity of our primary producers and the potential of rural and regional Australia and the seven million Australians who live there, because our government knows that when our regions are strong so too is our nation.

That's why we've invested more than $7 billion in our drought response, which delivers ongoing, immediate and long-term support to our producers and their communities, including: $266 million provided to over 11,000 farmers on farm household allowance; $40 million in additional farm household allowance lump-sum payments to nearly 6½ thousand farmers; $77 million invested in the Rural Financial Counselling Service, helping 4,000 farming businesses; $35 million to support more than 10,000 households in drought areas, delivering cash and vouchers from local charities; $131 million for the Drought Communities Program, to deliver local infrastructure and drought relief projects; $50 million for on-farm water infrastructure; $2.7 million for localised weather guides; $72 million on a special drought round of the national water infrastructure fund—and I could go on.

Our government has always committed to helping our farmers in recovery after drought and allowing our farmers and communities to focus on the future. The Future Fund is a long-term investment in the drought resilience that our communities need. It is now up to our chamber here to show they are also on the side of our farmers. This week, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, we've seen one small step for the Labor Party; it's time to take the great leap and support our farmers affected by drought.