David Littleproud: More heavy lifting needed to tackle drought

David Littleproud concedes more needs to be done when it comes to the government’s response to tackling the drought.

Bridget McKenzie and David Littleproud leave the press conference. Picture; AAP.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has conceded “more heavy lifting” is needed from the government when it comes to tackling the drought, amid a split in the Coalition over its drought funding strategy.

Agriculture ministers from across the nation met in Melbourne on Friday, where they agreed to a united plan to deal with worsening drought conditions, while committing to a dedicated climate change strategy to help improve farming decisions.

Speaking to reporters in Melbourne on Friday after the first tranche of talks, Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie said she was “incredibly buoyed” by the discussion.

“We agreed on a climate change and agriculture strategy and we are discussing animal welfare and a range of issues, including biosecurity and African swine fever later on today,” she said. “I’m incredibly buoyed by the state and territory ministers who agreed to collaborate with the Commonwealth around developing agricultural plans for 2030 to grow agriculture to a $100 billion industry.”

Senator McKenzie was flanked by Mr Littleproud, who said the federal, state and territory governments needed to work together to reduce the impact of prolonged drought conditions on affected communities. He indicated Scott Morrison would announce further assistance measures in the not-so-distant future.

“To the states, can I say ‘thank you’,” Mr Littleproud said. “There is more heavy lifting to be done by all of us. The federal government will make further announcements very soon from our perspective.”

Mr Littleproud’s comments came after Nationals MPs blindsided Scott Morrison on Thursday with a $1.3bn policy document, which was discussed in a Nationals party room meeting on Monday.

The 10-point Nationals plan includes­ a proposal to set up committees in drought-affected shires to oversee a $10m cash pool. It would require a 50-50 funding split with state governments.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann on Friday confirmed there would be more drought relief in the mid-year budget update in December, with announcements to flow before then.

“As the drought continues and the impact of the drought continues to worsen, of course our policy response to it will continue to evolve and strengthen,” Senator Cormann told Sky News.

But Labor deputy leader Richard Marles on Friday accused the government of being more focused on itself than the farmers.

“If you’re in Armidale right now and you’re facing running out of water by Christmas you would be horrified that all you can see going on from government right now is a whole lot of infighting,” Mr Marles told the Nine Network’s Today show on Friday.

The government is injecting $2 billion in drought assistance into the economy and has set up a $5 billion fund for future drought resistance projects.