Oz gets ready for the ‘big dry’

– Australia is setting up a billion-dollar fund to “future proof” the country against droughts, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday, as farmers struggle with a “big dry” forecast to continue for months.

The unfolding crisis has sparked a raft of measures including A$1.8 billion (about R191 billion) in financial aid for farmers and communities and a new fund with a kitty of A$3.9 billion for drought resilience and water projects. –