PM visits drought-affected SA as cash rolls in to support farmers
The Prime Minister has visited a drought stricken farm for the first time since the dry conditions took hold almost two years ago to announce federal funding for those affected.
A visit from the Prime Minister to drought-affected South Australia and a suite of new grants and low-interest loans are welcome signs state and federal governments are heeding pleas for help, “but more is needed” for farmers to survive record-low rainfall, a farm lobby group says.
On Monday Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Nette and Troy Fischer’s sheep and cropping farm in southern South Australia, to understand the effect of more than 18 months of limited rainfall on their family and business.
While there he announced a $2m boost for rural financial counselling and announced this year’s national drought forum would be held in nearby Gawler in August.
It is the first time the Prime Minister has made a point of witnessing the drought affecting parts of SA, Victoria and Western Australia since conditions began deteriorating almost two years ago.
Ms Fischer said any funding was welcome but financial assistance to retain staff would be helpful.
“We’ve been grinding it out for a long time so it’s nice to get recognition that it’s happening,” she said.
“Australian taxpayers, it’s their money that’s helping and we’re grateful for that.
“Good farmers should prepare for dry times, we’re not looking for handouts every time it’s a below average rainfall year, but this is exceptional - this is the worst rainfall since records began so we’re grateful for any assistance provided.”
Mr Albanese’s visit follows that of Agriculture Minister Julie Collins last week to Mount Compass, also in southern SA, where she announced the Future Drought Fund communities program would be given a $36m, four-year extension to help farming communities maintain their social resilience during times of drought.
Ms Collins also said $800,000 would be provided to rural financial counselling providers in SA and Victoria.
The federal funding follows a slew of recent announcements from the Victorian and SA state governments for drought relief.
In Victoria, Premier Jactina Allan has temporarily paused the controversial emergency services and volunteers levy for farmers for the 2025-26 financial year, and has announced a $37.5m package that will allow any farmer across the state to access grants of up to $5000 to support on-farm drought management improvements, in addition to financial counselling and mental health support.
Water cartage and “pasture re-establishment” are now also covered by the grants, which have been doubled in southwest Victoria to $10,000.
Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said the increased funding was “a good start”, effectively increasing pseudo-drought declarations to the entire state rather than just parts of the southwest, “but there was still a lot more that could be done”.
“Everyone is feeling the pressure at the moment. That pause in the ESVF is definitely welcome but we need to keep the pressure on to have it removed altogether,” Mr Hosking said.
“Finding fodder is a real challenge and we need to address that, potentially looking at our ability to find fodder from other states, and ensuring we have high productivity freight routes to get it to farms.”
So far the SA government has committed $73m to support farmers affected by drought in the state, with the money dispersed across various initiatives including commercial vehicle registration relief, providing stock water from reservoirs, mental health support and easing feral animal controls.
Fire agencies to have their funding slashed by $165 million
Victorian fire agencies are in chaos, as the Victorian Government reveals massive cuts to the CFA, VicSES and Fire Rescue Victoria.
Everything farmers need to know about the levy pause, new drought package
Drought support will be broadened statewide and heightened in the parched southwest, including a pause on the controversial emergency services levy increase. See the latest.