Damning review of National Drought Agreement finds gaps in support for farmers

A review into the national agreement has identified significant issues, and calls on the government to better support farmers and communities.

A damning review of Australia’s National Drought Agreement recommends the next iteration must close gaps in support for farmers and better reflect the multi-hazard environment in which they operate.

Crucially, it also found governments must do more to support farmers and farming communities before and after droughts, not just when disaster strikes, particularly with drought events expected to become more frequent, widespread, prolonged and severe as a result of climate change.

A key aspect would be for government to better acknowledge its role in supporting the important work that farmers and stakeholders do in adopting increasingly sophisticated strategies to deal with drought.

A review into Australia’s National Drought Agreement has found the next iteration must better reflect the multi-hazard environment in which farmers operate.

The National Drought Agreement was seen as a step change in how governments supported Australian farmers throughout the drought cycle when signed in December 2018, however a review was called after its intergovernmental collaboration ambitions failed in action.

The review said “it is important that this gap is addressed as an immediate priority”.

Among its 33 recommendations, the review also said it was vital the next agreement be appropriately framed around intersecting policy priorities, such as climate and water.

Along with acknowledging the many challenges farmers face as end-users of drought-related programs and “more strongly recognising that the impacts of drought – economic, social and environmental – extend well past the farm gate”.

The report found the lack of specific mechanisms for co-ordination under the NDA was most acutely felt at the time of the last major drought when a sudden proliferation of drought responses resulted in “confusion on the ground”.

The review is expected to be endorsed at today’s national agriculture ministers’ meeting, chaired by federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt.

It will inform the drafting of the next drought agreement, due to replace the current edition which expires in 2024.

Senator Watt said it was essential governments started preparing for a predicted increasing number of future drought events before they hit.

“The NDA recognises that governments can better support regional Australia to prepare for and manage the impacts of drought when we co-operate,” he said.

“The review into the NDA identifies future areas for improvement and stresses the need for strong, early communication and planning between governments to avoid duplication and gaps in support.

“It recognises that drought is just one risk that farm businesses face, and is closely tied to climate, water and many other government policies.”

The review also recommended governments better engage with non-government and local stakeholders to make monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting “more meaningful” and to ensure an intergovernmental “no surprises approach” to drought policy development.

October’s federal budget committed $20.8 million over the next two years to support Australia’s readiness to respond to drought events.