THE Mullaley Drought Taskforce is hoping to put forward a range of suggestions via a submission to this Friday’s federal government drought summit in Canberra.
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Interest rate subsides, post drought recovery and protecting stock breeding herds are some of what the group of locals will bring to the government’s attention.
Taskforce member Jacqui Donohue said she hoped the summit would provide farmers with “less talk and more action.”
“I think it is very important for the government to begin thinking about the recovery process of this drought,” Ms Donohue said.
“This is an industry that contributes $65 billion a year into the country and we need to be looking ahead.”
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The groups submission to the summit will also include a need to protect breeding stocks.
“We need to expedite the recovery process and help maintain the currently diminishing number of breeding stock,” Ms Donohue said.
“If we don’t, it will allow other countries to move in our markets and it will take us years to recover.”
Parkes federal MP Mark Coulton said he was looking forward to making the electorate’s feelings known during the summit.
“My electorate has been impacted by the drought more than most,” Mr Coulton said.
“While I haven’t been actively involved in organising this event, I am really looking forward to getting together with a number of advocates to discuss the issue.”
Despite not initially being invited to the summit, Mr Coulton said he would put forward recent issues presented to him by farmers.
“I think I was always going to come along, however I was not invited in the first instance,” he said.
“I do think a lot of the focus during the discussions will move from just being about livestock to include crop farming as well.
“While some places have recently seen relief, plenty of other places are still struggling, so these discussions are very important to try and help them.”
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
