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Labor Must Restore State Based Drought AssistanceThe Bracks Government must reinstate the State based drought assistance program it scrapped after the 2002 election. By Philip Davis - 10th June 2005 - Back to News Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said country Victorians supporting the mountain cattlemen would march to Parliament today to raise awareness of the difficult conditions for farmers and country communities.
He said overhanging country Victoria were the extraordinarily difficult conditions resulting from long term drought.
"Labor’s Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron has not been visible in the drought affected areas throughout the state and appears to be totally detached from the issue," Mr Davis said.
"The Premier Steve Bracks only visited Birchip last week after he was shamed into it by Liberal Leader Robert Doyle’s earlier trip.
"At every turn, the Bracks Government has ignored the plight of drought affected farmers and their communities – enough is enough.
"Now is the time for Bob Cameron to get his head out of the sand and reinstate the state drought assistance packages to aid Victoria’s primary industries."
"Mr Davis said the Bracks Government produced a drought assistance package prior to the 2002 State Election, but cancelled it soon after.
In that short time, less than 10 per cent of Victoria’s drought affected farmers had qualified and received the assistance.
Since then, all Bob Cameron has done is score cheap political points against the Commonwealth Government which is actually doing something to assist the farmers.
"If there was ever a time where the Bracks Government has to put political opportunism aside, it is now," he said.
"Even if these drought affected areas of Victoria do not receive decent, soaking rains in the next couple of weeks, it will be total disaster.
"More than ever, these farmers need help from the Bracks Government.
"I hope Steve Bracks and Bob Cameron sit up and take notice of the dire situation we have before us and act."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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