4 years ago
NOT A NATIONAL DROUGHT PLAN – A PLAN TO SAVE THE NATIONALS
JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
“The National Party back-bench hasn’t produced a national drought plan, just a plan to save the Nationals,” Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources, Joel Fitzgibbon said today.
“The Nationals are in revolt within the Coalition because the Prime Minister doesn’t have a drought plan.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said any economic stimulus for drought-affected communities would be welcomed, but it has to reflect community need, not the needs of National Party MPs.
“There’s a rump of mainly northern Nationals who know that the Government’s lack of direction on drought will cost them the bush, and it clearly illustrates that the Government lacks a comprehensive drought plan.
“If the National Party knows the response is not working, what are farmers and drought-affected communities supposed to think?”
Mr Fitzgibbon said the Government had received the National Farmers’ Federation’s drought policy document, and it was time to release the report of the Coordinator General for Drought which the Government has had since April.
“Scott Morrison has had a drought envoy, a drought coordinator, a drought Summit and a drought taskforce. He now has the drought plan from the NFF he says he’s been waiting for.
“It’s time for meaningful action.”
“The Nationals are in revolt within the Coalition because the Prime Minister doesn’t have a drought plan.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said any economic stimulus for drought-affected communities would be welcomed, but it has to reflect community need, not the needs of National Party MPs.
“There’s a rump of mainly northern Nationals who know that the Government’s lack of direction on drought will cost them the bush, and it clearly illustrates that the Government lacks a comprehensive drought plan.
“If the National Party knows the response is not working, what are farmers and drought-affected communities supposed to think?”
Mr Fitzgibbon said the Government had received the National Farmers’ Federation’s drought policy document, and it was time to release the report of the Coordinator General for Drought which the Government has had since April.
“Scott Morrison has had a drought envoy, a drought coordinator, a drought Summit and a drought taskforce. He now has the drought plan from the NFF he says he’s been waiting for.
“It’s time for meaningful action.”