Two high-profile National Party politicians have put pressure on the NSW government to act on calls from local farmers pleading for freight subsidies.
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Senator Bridget McKenzie said drought assistance was a top priority during her visit to Tamworth.
The Rural Health, Sport and Regional Communications Minister was flanked by New England MP Barnaby Joyce on Friday, as they visited fifth-generation dairy farmer Wes Brown.
Mr Brown shared the impacts of the region’s drought with the two Nationals members.
“Our yearly average for rainfall here is about 600mm per year and so far this year we’ve had 84mm,” Mr Brown said.
“Times are tough. We and many other farmers I’ve spoken to have to source feed for their stock from places very far away, such as Victoria and South Australia.
“That sort of distance is putting a major strain on us and the common request that I’ve heard from people I’ve spoken to is to introduce freight subsidies.”
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Senator McKenzie said she would continue to fight for struggling farmers at cabinet level.
“Listening to farmers is something that we are really working hard to do,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Another key focus of the federal government is to provide mental support to farmers.
“As we can see here, things are very dry for our farmers. It is there livelihood and being around that environment everyday can weigh heavily on people’s mental health.
“That’s why it is so important for us as a government to continue to listen and provide the household support we have been providing so far.”
Mr Joyce said the federal government was pushing the state government to deliver freight subsidies.
“I would be happy to swap and have us pay for subsidies and the state pay for household assistance,” Mr Joyce said.
“I know who will be out of money first and it won’t be us.
“I believe it is our job as elected leaders to listen to what people want and to act on it as best we can.
“That’s why we are continuing to visit with farmers like Wes on the ground and listening to what they have to say. I remain confident that our Prime Minister and the NSW Premier will come together on good terms at some stage and have a discussion about the possibility of freight subsidies.”
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
