SHOOTERS Fishers and Farmers Party Hunter Region spokesman John Preston believes our farmers need something other than “lip service”, following Niall Blair’s recent visit to the area.
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The NSW Primary Industries and Water Resources Minister dropped in for a chat with those doing it tough on the land last Friday, before announcing a new rural support worker would be deployed in Scone.
But, Mr Preston claims the struggling farmers required assistance, not words.
“This is as serious as it gets,” he said.
“We’re entering into territory where it’s causing human suffering.
“And, I don’t think anyone from the Nationals or Liberals realise how much pressure these farmers are under.
“The physical and mental stress is enormous.
“There’s a lot of anger and fury spilling out of the community.
“So, a whistle-stop tour of the area – while neglecting the main region affected – doesn’t help the situation.
“I called into the Scone cattle sale at the weekend to see how the drought is affecting livestock clearance rates.
“The local market is certainly hotting up as farmers in the Hunter Region de-stock.
“Buyers from across Australia descended on Scone to buy up cattle because of a proverbial exodus of cattle from the region as the drought worsens.
“I also met a bunch of people [in Scone] who are now losing jobs; and the guys working the land are pretty tired.
“Many of them are in their sixties.
“It’s only when you see that, you’re aware of how pushed up against the wall they are.”
Mr Preston’s comments, however, have angered Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen, who slammed him for trying to score political mileage off the back of the emotional and financial trauma being suffered by drought-affected farmers in the electorate.
“Unfortunately, we have a Sydney-based political operative that shows no regard whatsoever for the truth nor the well-being of farmers in the Upper Hunter,” he said.
“Recent comments making comparisons between Queensland and NSW in their approaches to drought support is misleading at best, deplorable at worst.
“It has been quoted that Queensland has a $40,000 grant to drought-affected farmers – that is only after being drought declared for three years.
“In reality, the drought would be four years in practice, given the time leading up to drought declaration.
“Thankfully, in NSW we have a system that does not rely on ‘drought declaration’ and is ongoing, through good times and bad.
“Transport subsidies are available for stock and fodder and I urge farmers to go directly to the drought hub website https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub”
DroughtHub provides a one-stop online destination for information on a vast range of services and support available to primary producers, their families and communities to prepare for and manage drought conditions.
Mr Johnsen said the NSW Government was committed to working closely with farmers and had delivered a $300 million drought package to ensure NSW was better prepared for future drought conditions.
He joined Mr Blair last week to show the Minister first-hand the dire situation being faced by farmers in the electorate.
“What Upper Hunter farmers don’t need is a disgusting political game showing complete disregard for the financial and emotional trauma drought causes,” Mr Johnsen said.
Fairfax Media mastheads the Newcastle Herald, Maitland Mercury, Dungog Chronicle, Hunter Valley News and Scone Advocate have joined forces with charity Rural Aid in a fundraising campaign for local farmers struggling due to the drought.
Donations to buy hay, water, diesel and groceries can be made via www.buyabale.com.au/hunter
