Joint Agency Drought Taskforce

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The Joint Agency Drought Taskforce has now concluded its operations. The Department of Agriculture is responsible for drought policy and response. Please direct enquiries to droughtpolicy@agriculture.gov.au

Assistance for farmers, their families and rural communities

Farmers, their families and their communities can access a range of government services and support to help them manage during times of drought and prepare for future conditions.

People are encouraged not to self-assess their individual situation, but to seek advice from an expert.

Visit FarmHub to access information about the drought support and services available.

You can also access information from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.

The Prime Minister has stated the drought is one of his top and immediate priorities for the Government. On 19 August 2018, the Government announced the appointment of a Coordinator-General for Drought, Major General Stephen Day, DSC, AM. To support this work the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has established a Joint Agency Drought Taskforce in the Prime Minister’s department led by Major General Stephen Day.

The Prime Minister has also appointed a Special Envoy for Drought Assistance and Recovery, the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP to listen to affected communities so he can feed back a deeper picture of the human and economic impact of the drought, including positive examples of resilience. The Special Envoy for Drought will provide advice to the Prime Minister about the impact of relief efforts, including the performance of Government service delivery and advise about proposals that might be emerging from the community.

Read the Terms of Reference for the Coordinator-General for Drought.

Key Dates & Progress

Coordinator-General’s travel and meetings

March

26 March, 2019 – Mullaley, New South Wales – Met with the National Farmers Federation and member farmers and visited a local farm to discuss the impact of the drought.
15 March, 2019 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Met with Australian Government water representatives to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
13 March, 2019 – Karoonda, South Australia – Met with the Karoonda East Murray District Council to discuss local drought conditions.
12 March, 2019 – Loxton, South Australia – Meetings with the Mayor and CEO of Loxton Waikerie Council, with horticultural industry representatives and with SA Murray Irrigators. Also met with the SA Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Tim Whetstone and local farmers.
11 March, 2019 – Brisbane, Queensland – Met with the basin commissioner to discuss water issues.
7 March, 2019 – Cunnamulla, Queensland – Attended an Australian Government drought support information session with Minister Littleproud, Bruce King, CEO of the Regional Investment Corporation and the local Mayor, Lindsay Godfrey at the Paroo Shire Town Hall. Local farmers and community members attended.
1 March, 2019 – Sydney, New South Wales and teleconferences - Participated in consultation sessions with representatives from the ACT, Tasmanian, Western Australian and Northern Territory state government to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience. Participated in a drought roundtable hosted by the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud.

Coordinator-General's latest travel and meetings