NSW Labor has added to a rising clamour over the absence of in-drought budget support for farmers.
Both NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson and CWA of NSW president Tanya Cameron chastised the government last week for failing to provide enough budget support for the state's drought-ravaged regions.
The $63m allocated by primary industries minister Niall Blair for 2015-16 includes little in drought support, with $50m set aside for low-interest Farm Innovation Fund loans, $9m to train farmers to better prepare for drought, and a combined $2.25m for weather stations and fodder and transport subsidies.
While Mr Blair said the government was also working with the Commonwealth on its drought loan schemes, his state Labor opponent Mick Veitch accused the government of ignoring the problem.
"Behind closed doors, farmers and stakeholders have told me there is no strategic drought policy in place - the most commonly used description is "void" and any available funding is not reaching those who need it the most," Mr Veitch said.
"All we see is this Government re-announce drought loans that many farmers can't afford to take up lest they drown in debt."
Last week Mrs Cameron questioned the sense of funding further preparedness measures.
"How does a 'fly-by-nighter' teach resilience to a farmer who survived the millennium drought and is now into their fourth year of no income in this drought?"