THE political bickering continues to rage as the drought roars on.
The latest blast came from Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner this afternoon, who said federal Drought Minister David Littleproud was playing with numbers while the Palaszczuk government actively supported Queensland farmers.
The political uppercuts follow Mr Littleproud's comments this morning calling on all of the states to do more in dealing with the long running drought.
In particular, Mr Littleproud called for state governments to pay council rates and provide crown lease holidays for farmers in drought. He also asked the states to deliver payroll tax exemptions to businesses dependent on agriculture, and for state-owned energy companies to offer farmers a discounted rate through a food and fibre tariff.
Mr Furner said it was a self-serving broadside at the states, saying he was disappointed to see Mr Littleproud playing politics on the issue of drought.
"While we are standing shoulder to shoulder with Queensland farmers through this insidious drought, Mr Littleproud seems unwilling to demonstrate bipartisanship," Mr Furner said from the AgMin meeting in Moree, NSW.
"Farmers remember this is the same Federal Government that unilaterally withdrew its 25 per cent Emergency Water Infrastructure Scheme rebate when there was a change of government in Queensland in 2015, and only committed to restoring it at last year's national drought summit," Mr Furner said.
It's time politicians put aside their differences and stood shoulder to shoulder with Queensland councils who are at the frontline of this creeping disaster.
- Greg Hallam, LGAQ
Mr Furner said his government was doing plenty to help farmers, committing more than $745 million to support drought affected producers and communities since 2013.
Queensland's assistance measures included:
- Increasing the payroll tax threshold to $1.3m and reducing the rate by an additional 1 per cent for regional businesses.
- $74.6m in the State Budget for ongoing drought assistance, including emergency water infrastructure rebates, electricity charges relief for irrigators and water users, land rent rebates and water licence waivers.
- Expanding drought support beyond the Drought Assistance Package to include funding for mental health support, the Royal Flying Doctor Service Drought Wellbeing Service and additional financial counselling for both producers and small business in droughted areas.
- Primary Industries Productivity Enhancement Scheme providing concessional loans to establish or improve sustainability of primary production.
- The $21m Drought and Climate Adaptation Program to help producers better manage future drought and climate risks through improved forecast products, tools and extension activities.
Mr Furner said the Queensland Government had also invested in researching drought-resistant crop varieties.
The rot has to stop, according to the Local Government Association of Queensland, which called for political unity as it released four videos today showing just how tight a grip drought has on parts of Queensland.
LGAQ chief executive Greg Hallam wrote to both the Prime Minister and Queensland Premier today urging them to drive a unified approach to water security.
"It's time politicians put aside their differences and stood shoulder to shoulder with Queensland councils who are at the frontline of this creeping disaster," Mr Hallam said.
"The greatest gift we can give the hundreds of thousands of Queenslanders this Christmas is that someone is listening and delivering real solutions to water security, a basic human need."
There is no love lost between Mr Furner and Mr Littleproud after the Queensland government reneged on a $5m promise earlier this year to jointly fund prickly acacia eradication in western Queensland.