1. National Drought Program Reform
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013

2. History Pre 1990: Drought as a natural disaster
1992: National Drought Policy established
Self-reliance
Natural resource management
Early recovery
1993: Exceptional Circumstances (EC) arrangements established
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 2

3. Exceptional Circumstances (EC)
Climate: rare and severe
Farm income: rare and severe downturn
Not predictable or part of structural adjustment
Inequitable and perverse outcomes
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 3

4. National review of drought policy
Climatic: hot years are likely to be more frequent
Social: focus on personal and family wellbeing
Economic:
Drought assistance programs should be restructured
Help farmers plan and prepare for drought
Don’t wait until crisis to offer assistance
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 4

5. WA Drought Pilot July 2010 – June 2012 Tested practical measures
WA Pilot region 1 July 2010 to 30 June                                                                                                                                  
WA Drought Pilot
July 2010 – June 2012
Tested practical measures
Preparedness and risk management
No drought declaration
Independent review
Recommended measures for the future
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 5

6. Recent announcements
3 May 2013: Intergovernmental Agreement on National Drought Program Reform
14 May 2013: Farm Household Allowance
1 July 2014: implementation
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 6

7. National Drought Program Reform
Preparedness and risk management
Farm Household Allowance
Farm Management Deposits and taxation measures
Farm business training
Social support services
Tools and technologies
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 7

8. Farm Household Allowance
Australian Government responsibility
Delivered by Department of Human Services
Will provide up to three years of income support
Support to be based on hardship, regardless of source
Case management and activities to support improved circumstances
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 8

9. Farm Management Deposits Scheme
Deposit funds in high income years and withdraw in low income years
Improves self-reliance
Helps manage financial risk
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 9

10. National approach to farm business training
Improves capacity to prepare for and manage risk
Focus on business planning
States and territories responsible for delivery and uptake
Farm business management skill set (VET)
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 10

11. A coordinated, collaborative approach to the provision of social support services
Australian, state and territory government responsibility
Ongoing support
Flexibility to respond to increased need
Coordinated responses
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 11

12. Tools and technologies to inform farmer decision making
Australian, state and territory government responsibility
Improved seasonal forecasting
Better access to information
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 12

13. Opportunities Evidence-based policy Commitment and cooperation
Stakeholder consultation
Flexibility
Timing
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 13

14. Challenges Managing expectations Requests v evidence Future decisions
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 14

15. What’s next? Amending legislation (allowance and FMDs)
Building IT systems
Training staff
Finalise farm business training skill set
Communications plan
Implementation from 1 July 2014
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 15

16.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Elizabeth Robertson
15 August 2013 16