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Phantom Minister Plays Politics With Drought Aid

A decision by Bracks Government Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron to play politics has meant Victoria has missed a crucial opportunity for much needed drought relief.

By Philip Davis - 28th April 2005 - Back to News

Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Philip Davis, said Minister Cameron wasted his time at the recent Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) in Darwin, where he had the opportunity to play a part in reforming drought aid for farmers in need.

Despite attending the PIMC, Bob Cameron managed to live up to his reputation of being missing in action and failing to take responsibility for the plight of drought affected Victorian farmers.

"Instead of putting the needs of struggling farmers first and supporting a new integrated government agreement on Exceptional Circumstances (EC) reform, Bob Cameron decided to use the opportunity to attack the Federal Government," Mr Davis said.

"The reform would have simplified the drought relief process and expedited decision making, which would provide much needed assistance to drought stricken farmers in the Wimmera and Mallee regions.

"The current arrangements for drought assistance have not been changed since 1991."

Mr Davis said the Minister had inappropriately used the PIMC as an opportunity to score political points.

"Bob Cameron has blatantly ignored the dire needs of drought affected farmers throughout Victoria in favor of taking a cheap shot at the Federal Government," Mr Davis said.

"He is already well-known among farmers state-wide as the ‘Phantom Minister’ and Bob Cameron’s conduct at this important forum did nothing to improve that image.

"His actions demonstrate he is a Labor Minister first and an Agricultural Minister second.

"The Minister has also become confused between drought assistance and street beautification, recently allocating funds for beautification works in the severely drought-affected communities in North West Victoria rather than providing the assistance that was really needed."

Mr Davis said the Federal Government’s drought reform would have been more inclusive of the states in the EC decision making and streamlined the process.

It would have also better targeted farmers in need of assistance.

"It is time the Minister took drought seriously," Mr Davis said.

"The only thing Bob Cameron will be remembered for is being the Minister for Agriculture who cancelled the state drought assistance program.

"All he has managed to do since then is announce street beautification, again missing the mark on where the real need lies.

"Our primary industries are suffering and the actions of the Minister responsible suggest he simply does not care."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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