FARM groups have praised the federal government’s drought support package, but with some reservations. National Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson said many of the new measures applied to all farmers irrespective of their finances.

"It's also great to see support forthcoming for our regional communities, who always do it tough when the farm sector falls on hard times," Ms Simson said.

Country Women’s Association of NSW president Annette Turner, questioned the value of preparedness funding in the middle of a drought and called for government to consider direct financial support for farmers.

“We are happy to see that government is concentrating on improving its drought and preparedness policies,” Mrs Turner said. “That said, initiatives relating to hay storage and infrastructure are a little tone-deaf to the reality that is currently occurring. There is virtually no feed so I don’t know where the hay comes from to fill these sheds, or the money to build them”. 

NSW Farmers president James Jackson, welcomed the community funds and the new tax breaks that “recognise farmers are business people”. “However, while low interest loans are helpful, there is a limit to the amount of debt that farm businesses can carry and still be in a viable position to fund the costs of restocking and replanting when the drought breaks,” Mr Jackson said. 

“NSW Farmers calls on the Australian government to defer both loan interest and principle repayments until it rains, as has been announced by the NSW Government for loans under the Farm Innovation Fund.”

North Queensland Rural Financial Counselling Service chief executive David Arnold said the additional payments under Farm Household Allowances (FHA’s) had been a success. Mr Arnold said FHA’s were often incorrectly viewed as a drought-specific welfare measure, rather than general assistance for rural people in hardship.

Mr Arnold is also a member of the Queensland based Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD). Last week it released a statement urging the government to do its homework when it distributes the $11.4 million mental health funding it announced in a previous drought package. RAPAD said organisations such as the Western Queensland Primary Health Network should be used to target people in greatest need of support.

Labor agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon, criticised the government for failing to form policy to encourage climate change adaption techniques. He urged the federal government to restore the Coalition of Australian Government drought reform process he established in 2013.