As announcements on Queensland's latest drought status were made this week, the opposition ramped up its call for the independent report on drought support to be released.
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner announced on Wednesday that he had accepted the recommendations of local drought committees to declare five additional shires and extend or issue part drought declarations in four others.
In parliament the following day the opposition agriculture spokesman Tony Perrett asked whether the minister would commit to releasing the independent report, given that 65 per cent of Queensland was now drought declared.
After sharing with the parliament which new shires were drought declared, the diverse variations in Queensland's weather, and the amount of money provided for drought support by the state, Mr Furner had just enough time in his reply to say that the Drought Program Review report was being carefully considered by the government.
"I must say that we will thoroughly investigate the good work that has been done by those two eminent people from the agriculture sector, both Ruth Wade and Charles Burke, who have provided a detailed report that the cabinet is considering," he said. "The cabinet will consider opportunities in that report, looking at the extensive period of this particular drought, some seven years in effect."
He then repeated what he'd said in February when asked when the report would be released; that it "covers important issues, including the way drought declarations are made, and is being carefully considered by the state government" and would go on to the considered by cabinet before release.
Mr Perrett said it was unacceptable that Mr Furner continued to sit on the review, which he had received in January.
"The report needs to be released immediately," he said.
"Queenslanders trying to survive the drought deserve to know what is and isn't working when it comes to drought support programs.
"An independent report into the effectiveness of Queensland's drought programs cannot be buried and hidden from the public.
"Queenslanders have not forgotten that the minister sat on the Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges report for six months just to announce its closure, during Christmas."
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
