Nationals leak drought policy to beat political foes

Barnaby Joyce issues a warning to the Coalition as the Nationals make fresh demands for drought zones.

Barnaby Joyce calls for extra drought funding. Picture: Kym Smith

The Coalition has split over its drought funding strategy, with ­Nationals MPs blindsiding Scott Morrison with a $1.3bn policy document leaked without approval from leader Michael McCormack.

A group of Nationals backbenchers involved in the drafting and leaking of the draft drought plan did not tell the Prime Minister of the rogue policy manifesto, which triggered anger among senio­r Liberals over a proposal to set up a $10m “pork barrel” fund.

The suite of drought proposals, including the stimulus packages for regional shire councils over which federal and state MPs have the right of veto, was discussed in a Nationals partyroom meeting on Monday with no decision reached.

The 10-point Nationals plan includes­ a proposal to set up committees in drought-affected shires to oversee the $10m cash pool. It would require a 50-50 funding split with state governments. Funds could go towards boarding school fees, fodder and rates, and would provide support for farmers and small-business owners.

The Australian understands Mr McCormack will raise elements­ of the Nationals policy proposals in cabinet and the government­ would consider adopt­ing some of the suggestions.

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce warned on Thursday that the Coalition could lose government if it failed to widen its drought stimulus package. “If this drought keeps going, you are going to have to go ahead with extra funding, otherwise you just won’t be in government,” he said.

The Morrison government has already committed more than $7bn in drought funding, including $1m economic stimulus payments to more than 120 councils to create jobs and support local businesses.

An additional six-month support­ for those coming off the Farm Household Allowance payment passed through the lower house on Wednesday.

In the leaked drought document, Nationals MPs said it was “essential that we deliver an unambiguou­s package” that was “clearly branded as Nationals”.

“It is us who have to fight the next election on this issue. The ­attack of our opponents which will be an independent/One Nation/Shooters and Fishers and Labor amalgam will be very effective in excoriating their perceived view of any policy inadequacy,” it said.

Fuelling the push by Nationals MPs for urgent action from the government in expanding the package is criticism from rivals inclu­ding One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who this week accused­ the Nationals of being “weak and ineffective”.

The policy document, compiled by the Nationals backbench policy committee, whose members include Mr Joyce, is aimed at winning­ support from cabinet for Nationals­-driven drought reforms. The backbench push has piled pressure on Mr McCormack, deputy leader and Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie, and Water Resources and Drought Minister David Littleproud to secure­ backing in cabinet for the Nationals policies.

Mr Joyce said it was important for people to understand the party was taking action behind the scenes. “The Nationals are driving the drought agenda,’’ he said. “We are driving the response to the drought … I think it is absolutely important the policies the Nationals have been developing are seen in a public forum.’’

Anthony Alban­ese seized on the leak to attack ­divisions within the Coalition and said he wasn’t surprised the governmen­t was refusing to create a “war cabinet” with Labor over the drought.

“They can’t even agree between­ the Liberal Party and the National Party. It’s just chaos,” the Opposition Leader told Nine.