Murray MP Helen Dalton says funding for training won’t help farmers when it’s not raining. Photo: Helen Dalton MP/Facebook.
Member for Murray Helen Dalton has labelled the State and Federal Government’s $43.2 million drought relief program as too little, too late and a slap in the face for farmers.
She was responding to the NSW Government’s announcement that the drought relief would come in the form of subsidised learning and development opportunities.
The government said the Farm Business Resilience Program would provide “personalised coaching, workshops, digital learning, and peer-to-peer case studies” to “equip farmers with practical support to ensure they are better prepared before, during and after these challenging periods.
“Improved drought preparedness is expected to reduce economic losses in the agriculture sector and deliver broader benefits to rural communities, including increased employment and supply chain stability,” the government statement said.
However, Mrs Dalton is unimpressed, saying the NSW Government can’t stop drought with coaching sessions.
“Real resilience is building water infrastructure – like Lake Coolah off-river storage and dams,” she said.
“You don’t stop drought with coaching sessions.
“Instead, Labor is stripping productive water out of the bush with buybacks. That’s a slap in the face for regional Australia and a direct hit on our nation’s economic future.”
Mrs Dalton said if the government was serious about protecting regional farmers, agriculture must be at the centre of national policy.
“Agriculture underpins Australia’s economy. Our farmers feed and clothe the nation and drive billions in exports. Undermining agriculture through water buybacks threatens not just the bush, but our entire economic future,” she said.
“If governments are serious about drought resilience, they’ll stop ripping water away and start funding real projects that keep rural communities in business and secure Australia’s long-term prosperity.”
The announcement of the drought relief came during the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns’ visit to Wagga Wagga last week as part of the Daily Telegraph’s Bush Summit.
Despite strong protests from Riverina farmers about the apparent lack of support for drought relief, Mr Minns said the government was committed to supporting the state’s farmers.
“Farmers are the backbone of the NSW economy and our state cannot meet its full potential if our regional communities are not able to thrive,” he said.
“Over the past five years, farmers have shown monumental resilience in the face of drought, floods, bushfires and even for some, a cyclone.
“With drought conditions returning and continuing across the state, we remain committed to supporting them with the necessary tools and assistance to sustain this vital industry.
“Supporting our farmers isn’t just about today – it’s about securing the future of agriculture in NSW for generations to come.”
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
