Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently visited a farm in Fischer, located in South Australia’s drought-affected Mid-North, to announce an additional $2 million in federal aid for farmers struggling due to extreme weather conditions. This funding aims to enhance support services for agricultural workers, particularly through increased financial counselling.
During the visit, Albanese toured the farm operated by fourth-generation farmers Troy and Lette Fischer. Troy highlighted the dire situation, sharing that this year has seen only 20mm of rain, with 15mm falling just the previous Monday. In a typical year, the expectation would be around 120mm by this time.
Troy expressed his frustration with the unpredictable weather patterns, stating, “Mother nature’s just not playing the game,” but remained hopeful for improvement. The extra federal assistance is designed to help local farmers receive more comprehensive support, enabling financial counselling services to expand their operations and reach more individuals in need.
In addition to the funding announcement, Albanese confirmed that the upcoming 2025 National Drought Forum will take place in Gawler, shifting from its previous location in Mildura. Set for August, the forum seeks to discuss strategies for improving Australia’s resilience to drought.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins underscored the significance of the forum, emphasising its focus on enhancing drought resilience across the country.
However, the state Liberal opposition has rebuked the federal government’s response as insufficient. Opposition spokesperson Sam Telfer remarked that the announcement fell short of expectations and was merely a minor gesture rather than impactful assistance needed in the wake of ongoing drought conditions.
Overall, while the federal funding aims to bolster critical support for farmers, it faces criticism for not adequately addressing the pressing challenges brought on by the drought crisis.