MATTERS OF STATE | The 'D' word the government simply can't ignore

Sadly we're seeing governments reluctantly provide assistance as a delayed response, and most often only when it's far too late.

Our metropolitan-dwelling cousins might get to see images of bone dry riverbeds and paddocks devoid of single blade of grass on their TV or in the local rag, but what they're not seeing is jobs losses, business closures, mortgage foreclosures, separation, displacement, broken families, anxiety, depression and even suicide.

Government cannot prevent drought, but it can certainly mitigate the financial impacts on our rural and regional communities which are suffering as a result of it.

I am constantly out and about in the electorate and talking to business owners.

The effect of drought on business across the board is a reality and, in many cases, business owners are having to procure off-business income to make ends meet.

In some cases, employers no longer have enough turnover to retain staff. Some businesses are having to shut down completely.

The Government needs to proactively stimulate rural and regional economies so they, too, survive this drought.

The saying 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is aptly applied in this circumstance, as it's regional communities which are required to support agriculture to feed and clothe our domestic population as a well as contribute to our future ongoing export market, financially overshadowing and dwarfing cost of financial measures required to keep our economy alive.

There are a range of measures our government could employ to keep people in jobs and the economy going.

In recent months I've strongly advocated and lobbied for a bias applied to local providers and contractors for government procurement contracts.

I have met resistance, as usual, but the government has relented to now apply weighted benefits to local tenderers, but it needs to be across the board.

The Government cannot withhold funding from the bush as it has been, either.

Last week I finally established some actual figures showing the NSW National Liberal Government have withheld $1,186,019,328 from rural and regional NSW for infrastructure projects.

There can be no excuse from holding back funding for many projects which would provide job opportunities and our economies with an important boost. There are projects aplenty which just need the funding.

While ever government fail to do the right thing, I'll be here to make sure they do. If I have to take the hard road, it will not deter me in the slightest.

In recent weeks I have received inquiries regarding access to financial assistance for emergency water infrastructure rebate scheme.

Eligible primary producers can claim rebates of up to $25,000 on new purchases and installation costs of water infrastructure, including installation of pipes, water storage, water pumps, the de-silting of dams and associated power supplies such as generators.

This scheme will close on 30 June 2021 or when the funding pool of $9.25 million is exhausted - which ever arrives first.

To apply contact the Rural Assistance Authority by phone 1800 678 593, email at rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au, or visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/emergency-water-infrastructure-rebate-scheme.