Drought assistance measures announced by the state government last week don’t go far enough, a meeting of farmers said last Friday.
A large group of farmers from across the north west met at the Narrabri RSL Club on Friday, calling on the government to extend the measures further.
Liberal MLC Scot MacDonald listened to the group’s concerns, promising to take suggested improvements to Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson for consideration.
Last Wednesday a drought assistance package was announced for 20 local government areas including Narrabri Shire.
It included up to $20,000 per producer in the form of a transport assistance reimbursement, up to $30,000 per producer for emergency water infrastructure grants and the waiving of some fees, including Local Land Services rates.
The measures are backdated to January 1 and funded through to June 30.
But farmers at the meeting told Mr MacDonald that they should be backdated to July 2013 and not have a set end date.
“The minister treats us with absolute contempt by saying the 1st of January and that’s it,” said Pilliga farmer Graham McNair.
“We’re incensed that it’s happened that way, most people in my area haven’t got any money left, most people’s expenses go back to July, if not before.”
Mr McNair’s comments were met with support from the gathered crowd.
“How can we put bread and butter on the table, we’ve got no money left!” one person shouted.
Other people spoke about their frustration with the new Local Land Services [LLS], and its lack of action on drought assistance bodies’ efforts compared with the previous bodies.
“We had three good organisations and now we’ve gutted them,” said Mullaley farmer James Bishop.
“We need to have true representation and that’s not happening.”
It was also disappointing that Barwon MP Kevin Humphries wasn’t at the meeting, Mr Bishop
added.
“I’m sorry Kevin couldn’t be here today, but he should’ve sent someone,” he said.
Farmers also expressed their disappointment that the Liverpool Plains local government area wasn’t among the 20 shires included in the drought support measures announced by the state government.
“It’s a travesty,” said Mr Bishop.
“Fifty per cent of income on the Liverpool Plains comes from livestock.”
Although the meeting was at times fiery, Mr MacDonald said he would discuss a total of nine recommendations with Katrina Hodgkinson for her consideration.
They were:
1) Condition reports from the Department of Primary Industries should be more accurate.
2) Drought support measures should cover cropping.
3) The federal government should be approached on the issue of farm management deposits.
4) An additional LLS board member should be considered.
5) Liverpool Plains local government area should be included in the drought package.
6) The emergency water infrastructure grant should include domestic water infrastructure.
7) The commencement date of the measures should be backdated to July 2013, not January 2014, and the finish date should be more open.
8) The LLS should be more on the front foot.
“Farmers seem to be used to the old LHPA [Livestock Health and Pest Authorities] supporting them in the early stages of a drought,” said Mr MacDonald.
And 9) That the government looks at the issue of transporters refusing to load stock in weak conditions and therefore some farmers can’t access transport subsidies for stock.
Meeting organiser Phillip Kirkby said he was pleased with the mix of ideas at the meeting and the support from Mr MacDonald.
“He showed a lot of compassion for the situation,” Mr Kirkby said.
“I thought it was a good meeting, we aired a lot of problems.”
Mr Kirkby added that he was hopeful Minister Hodgkinson would consider the group’s recommendations.