KATRINA Hodgkinson didn’t come to Armidale yesterday with the good news every farmer and grazier was hoping to hear.
The Minister for Primary Industries toured the Northern Tablelands with MP Adam Marshall to see first-hand how dry the conditions were, but was unable to announce any drought assistance funding for the region.
She said that any decision would have to made by the NSW Cabinet.
Ms Hodgkinson’s visit came after NSW Farmers urged the State Government to fast track the process.
The association, Australia’s largest state farming body, said thousands of farmers across the north, central and western parts of NSW were in crisis and needed help now.
“Farmers are making the tough decisions and now it’s time the NSW Government did too,” president Fiona Simson said.
“When you are a farmer and you are confronted with feeding stock and carting water on a daily basis – waiting that amount of time for an answer just extends your pain.
“We need some short-term investment in our industry by the State Government to ensure our food and fibre opportunities are realised.
“Supporting us at this time of crisis is providing an investment in the rural communities and farming businesses for the future.”
Opposition spokesperson for Primary Industries Steve Whan said the government had offered nothing but words to most drought-affected farmers.
“Unfortunately because the O’Farrell Government has abolished declarations of ‘drought’ no one can give definitive information about how much of NSW is now in drought – and importantly there is no automatic entitlement to vital drought support measures,” he said.
“At this stage the only parts of NSW getting any sort of drought support are the shires of Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett – and even then that support only came appallingly late.
“The Premier must immediately reinstate drought declarations and extend the assistance that is currently available to three shires in the North West to all farmers in serious drought.”
