4 years ago
PRIME MINISTER, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?
JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Shadow Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has welcomed speculation the Government will extend drought programs, however he has questioned the delayed response, asking “Prime Minister, where have you been?”
Mr Fitzgibbon said the Prime Minister’s delayed response to the calamity in the bush had turned farmers into Morrison’s Forgotten People.
“It appears that after six years and multiple ad hoc and inadequate measures, the Government may make yet another promise today to fix Farm Household Allowance. We welcome any assistance for our farmers, however any changes will again fall short if the period of eligibility is not extended. We can’t be taking income support off people in the middle of a shocking drought.”
“There is also speculation the Government will again extend the Drought Communities Program. This will be welcome but occasional extensions have denied funding certainty and prevented Councils from acting more quickly.”
Mr Fitzgibbon also questioned the sincerity of the Morrison Government.
“In the Parliament last week Minster Littleproud defended the Government’s declining rural aid funding, claiming it it’s ”demand driven”, demonstrating again that the Government lacks a coherent approach to drought policy.”
Talking about the FHA, Minister Littleproud said, “The reality is that we make estimations of the demand that will be required of it. That is why it has gone down.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said the Drought Coordinator’s report must be released today.
“Any announcement the Prime Minister makes today will be met with cynicism if it doesn’t include the release the report of the Drought Coordinator, Major General Stephen Day.
The release of the report would help build confidence that the Morrison Government is committed to finally developing an overarching strategic approach to the drought crisis.
“Farmers today will be asking the Prime Minister, ‘where have you been?’”
Mr Fitzgibbon said the Prime Minister’s delayed response to the calamity in the bush had turned farmers into Morrison’s Forgotten People.
“It appears that after six years and multiple ad hoc and inadequate measures, the Government may make yet another promise today to fix Farm Household Allowance. We welcome any assistance for our farmers, however any changes will again fall short if the period of eligibility is not extended. We can’t be taking income support off people in the middle of a shocking drought.”
“There is also speculation the Government will again extend the Drought Communities Program. This will be welcome but occasional extensions have denied funding certainty and prevented Councils from acting more quickly.”
Mr Fitzgibbon also questioned the sincerity of the Morrison Government.
“In the Parliament last week Minster Littleproud defended the Government’s declining rural aid funding, claiming it it’s ”demand driven”, demonstrating again that the Government lacks a coherent approach to drought policy.”
Talking about the FHA, Minister Littleproud said, “The reality is that we make estimations of the demand that will be required of it. That is why it has gone down.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said the Drought Coordinator’s report must be released today.
“Any announcement the Prime Minister makes today will be met with cynicism if it doesn’t include the release the report of the Drought Coordinator, Major General Stephen Day.
The release of the report would help build confidence that the Morrison Government is committed to finally developing an overarching strategic approach to the drought crisis.
“Farmers today will be asking the Prime Minister, ‘where have you been?’”