This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/16/tony-abbott-tour-drought-farming-areas

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tony Abbott begins 'listening' tour of drought-hit farming areas Tony Abbott begins 'listening' tour of drought-hit farming areas
(about 1 hour later)
Tony Abbott has embarked on the first leg of a two-day “listening tour” of drought-hit areas in western NSW and Queensland.Tony Abbott has embarked on the first leg of a two-day “listening tour” of drought-hit areas in western NSW and Queensland.
TheThe
prime minister, along with agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce, visited a prime minister, along with agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce, visited a
40,000-hectratre family near Bourke on Sunday morning. 40,000-hectratre family near Bourke on Sunday morning.
PhilPhil
Ridge, who runs the farm alongside his wife Di, said that farmers Ridge, who runs the farm alongside his wife Di, said that farmers
needed money to help deal with the effects of drought, citing rural needed money to help deal with the effects of drought, citing rural
debt, weed and pest control and education allowances as challenges the debt, weed and pest control and education allowances as challenges the
government needs to address.government needs to address.
AccordingAccording
to AAP, Ridge’s farm received only 120mm of rain in 2013 and none this to AAP, Ridge’s farm received only 120mm of rain in 2013 and none this
year, significantly down on the long-term average of 350mm of rain. The year, significantly down on the long-term average of 350mm of rain. The
skies did open during Abbott’s visit, however.skies did open during Abbott’s visit, however.
In a statement, Abbott said: “This hasn’t just been a dry summer, it’s been a dry couple of years.In a statement, Abbott said: “This hasn’t just been a dry summer, it’s been a dry couple of years.
“I’ve“I’ve
read the letters and emails that country people have sent and I want to see read the letters and emails that country people have sent and I want to see
myself what’s needed to respond to this drought because the myself what’s needed to respond to this drought because the
government response must be targeted, effective and not caught up in redgovernment response must be targeted, effective and not caught up in red
tape. I know more needs to be done and it will be done in a way that’s tape. I know more needs to be done and it will be done in a way that’s
fair and fiscally responsible.”fair and fiscally responsible.”
AbbottAbbott
added the drought was “another reason why we’ve got to get rid of the added the drought was “another reason why we’ve got to get rid of the
carbon tax”, in order to help bring down electricity and gas bills for carbon tax”, in order to help bring down electricity and gas bills for
people in rural areas.people in rural areas.
The government is considering its options for drought support, such as backing bank loans for farmers.The government is considering its options for drought support, such as backing bank loans for farmers.
Abbott’sAbbott’s
tour will take in Broken Hill, in NSW, and Longreach in Queensland. tour will take in Broken Hill, in NSW, and Longreach in Queensland.
Some farmers in these areas have not had significant rainfall since July Some farmers in these areas have not had significant rainfall since July
2012.2012.
TheThe
Bureau of Meteorology has forecast some rain for the Bourke area in the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast some rain for the Bourke area in the
coming days, but it is not expected to be drought breaking. coming days, but it is not expected to be drought breaking.
According to the bureau,According to the bureau,
January rainfall was “very much below average” across north and west January rainfall was “very much below average” across north and west
Queensland, through NSW to Victoria. Areas of South Australia, Western Queensland, through NSW to Victoria. Areas of South Australia, Western
Australia and Tasmania have also experienced a lack of rain.Australia and Tasmania have also experienced a lack of rain.
CentralCentral
Queensland and central and northern NSW are experiencing “serious to Queensland and central and northern NSW are experiencing “serious to
severe deficiencies” in rain, according to the bureau. Most of severe deficiencies” in rain, according to the bureau. Most of
Queensland, NSW and South Australia have received less than 70% of the Queensland, NSW and South Australia have received less than 70% of the
long-term average rainfall over the past 22 months.long-term average rainfall over the past 22 months.
TheThe
National Farmers Federation has proposed a drought relief National Farmers Federation has proposed a drought relief
package, including labour wage assistance and improved social services package, including labour wage assistance and improved social services
for farmers.for farmers.
“As “It’s good to see the prime minister is coming here
we have said before, we aren’t asking for handouts—we’re asking for a and listening to people in the business and hear what they have to deal
logical step forward, to help viable Australian businesses during a very with,” NFF president Brett Finlay told Guardian Australia. “We aren’t expecting him to announce
tough time—enabling them to continue to produce the high-quality food anything as such, but people have said they want to see the prime
and fibre for this great nation and many overseas markets,” said Brent minister out here.
Finlay, NFF’s president. “We have 70% of
Queensland and 52% of NSW in drought, some farmers don’t have any
livestock left on their properties. We’ve had record high temperatures
and record low rainfall. What’s different about this drought is how big
it is – it covers a huge area and hundreds of communities.
“We need long-term measures to deal with drought. The worst time to deal with drought is in the middle of it.”
Abbott’sAbbott’s
tour coincides with a pledge by US president Barack Obama to help tour coincides with a pledge by US president Barack Obama to help
Californian farmers deal with a crippling drought. Obama said there was Californian farmers deal with a crippling drought. Obama said there was
“no doubt” that climate change was playing a role in drought and that “no doubt” that climate change was playing a role in drought and that
more needed to be done to prepare for a scenario involving reduced rain.more needed to be done to prepare for a scenario involving reduced rain.