NSW Government announces extra $500m in drought relief as farmers continue to struggle
Transport subsidies are being added to support measures for farmers struggling in a drought with no end in sight.
Almost the entire of New South Wales is now in drought as farmers struggle through one of the driest winters on record.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has seen the dry conditions for herself during a visit to the state’s Central West to announce another $500 million in drought relief.
It’ll take the government’s total relief for farmers to more than $1 billion.
The new package included subsidies covering up to 50 per cent of the full cost of transporting fodder, water or livestock.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro travel to the Central West to announce another $500mil in drought support for farmers including transport subsidies @2GB873 pic.twitter.com/3vXQt2jfue
— Alice Hogg (@alicemhogg) July 30, 2018
The Premier tells Ben Fordham “the situation is dire”.
“We’re doing everything we can across all parts of government to support our farming communities.”
She says freight subsidies will be backdated to the start of the year.
“We thought it was fair to backdate it to the beginning of the year.
“One thing I’ve learnt in this job, Ben, is everybody’s circumstances are different and unique but what you need to do is step up and provide a package that reaches everybody.”
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