Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Davey makes a very good point, because it's not just the farmers who are impacted. Drought doesn't stop at the farm gate; it extends to the mechanics who have to fix their tractors. It might impact the schools and the number of children who are actually going into town to be educated. It might impact local businesses that are just so vital to the fabric of the community. Last month, another 52 local government areas applied for and were successful in getting the million-dollar Drought Communities Program funding to stimulate their local economies, to make sure that there was money in the economy to allow the money to flow through to these communities and the small businesses in these towns. It's about making sure that we support the local tradies. It might be through supporting local products being bought and local jobs in the communities. In your home state of New South Wales, Senator Davey, $121 million has been committed to New South Wales shires to make sure that we are supporting the local governments to support their communities. (Time expired)