Government Drought Support: Inquiry Report

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, severity and length of drought periods in Australia. Government assistance for drought events is guided by the current National Drought Policy and is intended as a short term measure to help farmers prepare for, manage and recover from drought. Support is provided to farmers and rural communities under the Exceptional Circumstances arrangements and other drought programs. Australian primary industries ministers have agreed that current approaches to drought relief are no longer the most appropriate in the context of a changing climate. The Federal Government has therefore asked the Productivity Commission to report on the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments' business support and income support measures to help farmers, farm businesses and farm dependent rural small businesses manage drought. This draft inquiry report considers agriculture and adjustment, climate variability and drought, drought policy in Australia, program evaluation, a new policy framework, and implementation and support of the policy. It encourages public submissions in response to this draft report that will inform the final report.