‘For a non-rainy day’

PM announces $5b drought fund as country battles big dry

A $5 BILLION fund to guard Australian farmers against future droughts will be at the heart of the Government’s plan to tackle barren conditions over the next decade.

The Future Drought Fund will help primary producers, non-government organisations and communities prepare for and respond to the impact of drought. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the fund, which will be underpinned by an initial $3.9 billion injection before growing to $5 billion in 2028, ahead of yesterday’s national drought summit in Canberra.

Mr Morrison said the step came after farmers across Australia urged the Coalition to prepare for the future.

“This has been one of the key messages we’ve had as we’ve gone around the country with Major-General Stephen Day, who has been our coordinator-general on drought, and that is what we need to invest and build resilience for the future,” he told the Seven Network yesterday. “It really is about putting money away for a non-rainy day.”

The money will be managed by the existing Future Fund board of guardians, which recently reported a 9.3 per cent return and a $145.8 billion balance in funds for 2017-18.

From 2020, about $100 million per year will be available with payments starting from July that year.

The funds will be used to provide community services, research and assist in the adoption of technology. It will also pay for advice and infrastructure to support long-term sustainability when drought hits.

National Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson said while government support for the current drought was important, farmers would be better served by a holistic plan for dry times.

“I believe it is a well accepted view, from the Prime Minister down, that we can’t afford to continue to be reactive in responding to drought,” Ms Simson said.