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

Since the drought announcement on Thursday I've met with Northern Territory cattlemen in the Barkly, talking about their dry times. I've also been speaking to farmers in Victoria, in South Australia, in Queensland and in New South Wales. I've been on the ground in these communities for the last three days. I've been listening to them, acting and taking up the things they need to be done. That's what our government have done. We've actually talked to people. We actually know what these communities want to see. They want cash on the tables of our farmers. They want their regional towns supported through the drought so their rural supply stores and the skills sets are still there when the rain comes and we need to ramp up productivity. Our communities, such as Moira, Moyne, Kempsey—you name it—will be supported by our drought announcement, with 122 councils, plus another six and then 50 more using the ministerial discretion.