AS DROUGHT conditions persist across the northern and central areas of the State, frustration is mounting over the government's response to the desperate situation.
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During the weekend I spent some time with National Farmers Federation president Brent Finlay and federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce as they travelled from Lightning Ridge through Walgett to Coonamble and Baradine.
One thing that was clear across all these regions is farmers are not only dealing with extreme drought conditions, but are confused by the process for receiving assistance.
This needs to be addressed immediately.
While the State government no longer makes any drought declarations like it did in the past, we have seen them make assistance available to the local government areas of Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett.
But with drought now well and truly affecting areas beyond these few shires, farmers are asking what they have to do before the same assistance is available to them.
We know the independent Rural Assistance Advisory Committee continually monitors seasonal conditions and provides feedback to the Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson, and we now have a Local Land Services drought appointment as well, but we have no clear insight into whether Ms Hodgkinson and the NSW government are currently considering support measures for other drought-affected communities.
I have had a number of people tell me they have been told it is at least a six-week process.
Surely it is known these areas have been dry for more than 12 months?
Why does it take that long for a decision?
Granted, the State government is probably pushed for funds, but farmers need to keep making decisions without any cash flow.
Ms Hodgkinson and the Cabinet need to decide whether they are going to make funding available and whether or not they are willing to support their farmers and rural communities now facing drought.
NSW Farmers continues to push the government for assistance measures to be made available to these areas.
However, the time for consideration is now over and it is up to Ms Hodgkinson to tell farmers whether the State government is going to step up.
Farmers simply want answers from the government and we don't think it is too much to ask.
Fiona Simson is president of NSW Farmers.