Australian Drought Package – What’s in it for Drought-affected Pastoralists in SA?

Livestock SA is still waiting to see the fine detail of the new drought support package announced by the Australian Government.

The President of Livestock SA, Richard Halliday said, “While we welcome this package worth $320 million, the public announcements from the Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture appear to imply the support is mainly for NSW and Queensland.

“We are hoping the package will also be available to assist those pastoralists in this State who also need support.

Livestock SA has identified ten priority issues that will need to be addressed by the incoming State Government following the election on 15 March, 2014, with the main item being drought support for South Australian pastoralists.

“While Livestock SA would like the State Government to consider some short-term measures to assist those South Australian pastoralists currently in drought, it is the Australian Government’s Drought Concessional Loans Scheme that will be of more benefit.

“I hope that sufficient funding will be provided to South Australia for these loans to be quickly and widely available to our pastoralists. There must not be any delay,” said Mr Halliday.