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New approach needed on drought policyThe Member for Eastern Victoria, Philip Davis, says the off-again, on-again Exceptional Circumstances arrangements in East Gippsland highlights the need for an entirely new national approach to drought relief. By Kevin Balshaw - 3rd November 2008 - Back to News The Member for Eastern Victoria, Philip Davis, says the off-again, on-again Exceptional Circumstances arrangements in East Gippsland highlights the need for an entirely new national approach to drought relief.
Mr Davis said extensive studies since the mid-1990s had revealed significant inadequacies in the periodic, ad hoc introduction of relief measures in response to drought events, which were becoming more frequent and prolonged.
He said as the recent Report on Dryness to the Federal Government had found, many existing policy responses are not working because they are crisis-framed and there is need for a broader ongoing strategy to assist country areas such as East Gippsland to live with dryness.
"In this context, I would strongly support the National Farmers’ Federation submission for HECS-style loans to assist farmers through periods of drought and enable them to structure their businesses to mitigate the impact of drought," Mr Davis said.
"The loans would provide long-term support and be repaid when farm income returned to a viable level.
"The NFF has put the proposal to the current Productivity Commission inquiry into drought relief, but in fact it has been widely explored for more than a decade.
"Professor Bruce Chapman, who developed the HECS program for tertiary students, also proposed introducing a mutual obligation concept in the arrangements for drought relief in place of the largely handout measures that traditionally have applied.
"But the idea has remained on the shelf until now when we have come to appreciate more fully the extent and implications of climate change, and the need accordingly to change our thinking about how to deal and live with it."
Professor Chapman and an associate at the Australian National University, Dr Linda Botterill, authored a paper suggesting an income-related loans scheme to provide drought aid to farm businesses.
The Report on Dryness, released in September, advocated "a new national approach to living with dryness, as we prefer to call it, rather than dealing with drought". It said Governments should focus future policy on facilitating the social wellbeing of farm families, rural businesses and communities to improve their capacity to live with dryness.
The report asserted that such an approach would lead to better social, as well as economic and environmental, outcomes.
"We have seen the uncertainty and difficulty resulting from the Federal Government lifting and then re-introducing Exceptional Circumstances arrangements in East Gippsland," Mr Davis said.
"It is to be hoped the Productivity Commission’s inquiry will recognise the need for a more comprehensive policy response such as Professor Chapman and the Report on Dryness have proposed."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: kevin.balshaw@parliament.vic.gov.au
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Baw Baw Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to fund critical local projects, including road upgrades, trails, sporting infrastructure, business development and a new West Gippsland Hospital. - Darren Chester joins Annabel Crabb for locally sourced Gippsland feast on ABC's Kitchen Cabinet series
Darren Chester will feature on ABC's Kitchen Cabinet with Annabel Crabb, showcasing Gippsland produce and locally sourced food when the episode airs August 25. - Wellington Shire Council opposes mandatory fourth glass recycling bin, urging Victoria to allow council flexibility instead
Wellington Shire Council has again urged the Victorian government to scrap mandatory household glass bins, citing costs, practicality and existing Container Deposit Scheme success while seeking greater flexibility for regional councils. - Becon Constructions awarded $21M contract to build Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct library and learning centre
Becon Constructions has secured a $21 million contract to deliver Warragul new Library and Learning Centre, part of Baw Baw Shire $30 million Culture and Connection Precinct, expected to open in early 2028. - Gippsland Water People’s Panel passes halfway mark, preparing recommendations to shape organisation’s 2028-33 price submission and priorities
Gippsland Water’s 50-member People’s Panel has completed three sessions exploring service priorities and customer needs, preparing recommendations to inform the organisation’s 2028-33 Price Submission. - South Gippsland Shire Council seeks community feedback on future of local aquatic facilities and swimming pools before 6 December 2026
South Gippsland Council is seeking community feedback on the future of aquatic facilities, with ageing infrastructure, changing visitation, rising costs and renewal needs under consideration. Feedback closes December 6. - Latrobe City Council records strongest planning performance, leads Victoria in statutory decision timeframes
Latrobe City Council has achieved its strongest planning performance, with 95.44 percent of applications decided within statutory timeframes following streamlined delegation reforms introduced in May 2025. - Baw Baw Shire Council urges election commitments on hospital, roads, transport and infrastructure for growing communities
Baw Baw Shire Council is urging state and federal leaders to support local priorities, including a new hospital, transport, roads, housing, tourism and infrastructure, ahead of Victoria’s November election. - Melina Bath calls on Labor to protect locally raised foreshore funds and community priorities across Eastern Victoria
Nationals MP Melina Bath has urged Labor to guarantee $500,000 raised by San Remo residents remains dedicated to local foreshore projects following committee merger concerns.
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