Howard Responds On Aussie Drought Crisis - More Money, Dams For Farms

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Federal cabinet is considering ways to "future-proof" farmers against drought, as an academic warns that up to five per cent of farms may be unviable. Prime Minister John Howard has confirmed that cabinet is considering measures to help businesses in drought-hit towns and encourage farmers to find ways to weather future droughts.

"Perhaps some additional help in relation to dams and other measures which will help farmers in dealing with a future drought, to perhaps diminish its impact," Mr Howard told ABC television when asked what he meant. "I mean, it will rain again, I know many farmers don't think that's likely at the moment, and I can understand why, but it will rain again. "And one of the best things we can do for the future is to help them better utilise the rain when it does come."

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His comments came as water expert Peter Cullen said some farmers might have to walk away from their land permanently. Professor Cullen said a small number of marginal properties had been on the edge for a long time and their situation was unlikely to improve. "With what appears to be the climate shift we are now seeing, I don't think it's going to get any better and ... our drought policy needs to review that and see whether it's appropriate to try and keep them (the farmers) there," Prof Cullen told Network Ten.

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The Australian Greens say Mr Howard cannot future-proof rural Australia from drought without a comprehensive assessment of climate change. "It is not enough for Prime Minister Howard to grab his chequebook, don his Akubra hat and head bush full of sympathy. It's a recipe for ongoing disaster," Greens Senator Christine Milne said in a statement. "What Australia needs is a full assessment of the climate modelling and the extent to which the pastoral, wheat, sheep and coastal zones have shifted as a result of a changing climate, with an adaptation strategy to match."

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http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=327096