COALITION DELIVERS ELECTION PROMISE AS FUTURE DROUGHT FUND BECOMES REALITY

Aussie Farmers stand to benefit from projects funded by the Coalition’s Future Drought Fund, which passed the Parliament on Tuesday.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the Coalition had delivered on its election promise.

“The Future Drought Fund will deliver $100 million in investment into drought preparedness and resilience projects every year, starting next July,” Mr Pasin said.

“This could include funding for climate adaptation, extension work, or region-wide projects such as pest and weed control.

“Our farmers and businesses know how hard this drought has been. We promised to do this to support our farmers for future droughts as well as this one and we’ve delivered.

“The $5 billion Future Drought Fund means $100 million every year will be invested in drought resilience and preparedness. This is on top of the $1.9 billion we’ve already invested in Farm Household Allowance, Rural Financial Counselling, mental health funding, low interest loans and more. Obviously, freight, fodder and rates subsidies are the responsibility of state governments.”

A consultative committee will be formed to decide how the $100 million was invested, as per the legislation.

“Australian drought policy now has a centrepiece and a guaranteed investment of $100 million a year.

“Opposing this Bill as Labor did before the election was one of the lowest acts in political history. Labor politicised the misery of farmers in drought. We’re proud to deliver for our farmers and rural and regional Australia.”