Australian Government Allocates $519.1 Million for Drought Resilience in Upcoming Budget
Source: The DairyNews
The Australian Federal Government has committed $519.1 million to enhance drought resilience, as announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Beef 2024 in Rockhampton, the largest beef industry event in the southern hemisphere.
This funding allocation, set to be included in the next federal budget, underscores the government's strategic focus on bolstering agricultural sustainability amid increasing weather extremes.
The Future Drought Fund, which benefits from this allocation, is designed to assist farmers and regional communities in improving their drought preparedness. Agricultural Minister Murray Watt emphasized the importance of proactive investment to mitigate the impact of droughts, which are becoming more frequent and severe across the country. He noted that the investment aims to develop more resilient agricultural practices and enhance the communication of climate science among farmers.
Grazier Michael Doering, who has experienced firsthand the challenges of accessing these funds, highlighted the lengthy and cumbersome approval process, which took 18 months for his grant application. Despite these hurdles, he acknowledged the potential benefits of such funding for the agricultural sector, although he voiced concerns about other government-controlled costs affecting farmers, such as fuel taxes.
Shane McCarthy, vice chairperson of AgForce, also welcomed the announcement but cautioned that the effectiveness of these programs often depends on their accessibility and adaptability to varied regional needs.
The newly announced funding will be distributed over an eight-year period, beginning on July 1, 2024, marking the commencement of the fund's second phase of implementation. This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to prepare for and reduce the effects of drought, moving away from the previously reactive approaches to a more structured and anticipatory framework.
The Future Drought Fund, which benefits from this allocation, is designed to assist farmers and regional communities in improving their drought preparedness. Agricultural Minister Murray Watt emphasized the importance of proactive investment to mitigate the impact of droughts, which are becoming more frequent and severe across the country. He noted that the investment aims to develop more resilient agricultural practices and enhance the communication of climate science among farmers.
Grazier Michael Doering, who has experienced firsthand the challenges of accessing these funds, highlighted the lengthy and cumbersome approval process, which took 18 months for his grant application. Despite these hurdles, he acknowledged the potential benefits of such funding for the agricultural sector, although he voiced concerns about other government-controlled costs affecting farmers, such as fuel taxes.
Shane McCarthy, vice chairperson of AgForce, also welcomed the announcement but cautioned that the effectiveness of these programs often depends on their accessibility and adaptability to varied regional needs.
The newly announced funding will be distributed over an eight-year period, beginning on July 1, 2024, marking the commencement of the fund's second phase of implementation. This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to prepare for and reduce the effects of drought, moving away from the previously reactive approaches to a more structured and anticipatory framework.
