September 26, 2018
Shadow Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett has slammed the shock sacking of a Local Drought Committee by the State Government.
Local Drought Committees are independent bodies which convene to recommend whether a local government area should be drought-declared or its drought status lifted.
Last Wednesday, Agricultural Minister Mark Furner announced that part of the Western Downs Regional Council area would be added to the drought declarations list.
But at the same time, he said membership of the Western Downs Local Drought Committee would be “refreshed”.
Mr Perrett called the LDC’s sacking a disgrace and an insult to the farming community.
A statement from the LNP said Mr Furner had decided to “shoot the messenger” by axing the Western Downs LDC after its members – one of whom had served on the committee for 35 years – voted unanimously for the area to be drought-declared.
However, Mr Furner ignored the recommendation and only allowed part of the Western Downs to be officially drought-declared.
“Let’s be very clear, the Minister sacked the LDC all because it didn’t deliver the verdict he wanted,” Mr Perrett said.
“The Minister was embarrassed and angry he didn’t get what he wanted – so he threw an outrageous tantrum and fired everyone involved.
“Chinchilla grain farmer Greg Stanke had served on the LDC for 35 years. He has been treated disgracefully. The Minister should hang his head in shame.
“If Labor can do this to Western Downs, it can do it to any other region.
“By intimidating LDCs, Labor plans to make it harder for communities to get on the drought-affected list. This means farmers and communities will be starved of assistance.
“The LNP continues to call for a complete state-wide audit of our regional drought declarations.
“It’s time for Minister Furner to direct all our LDCs to meet again and provide frank and fearless advice on the deteriorating seasonal conditions affecting our communities.”
- Related article: Drought Area Extended
