Queensland's horticulture body accuses government of industry bias

Ms Richter is one of 398 Queensland farmers who was approved for the joint federal and state funding scheme (EWIRS) only to be told after spending thousands that the government's funding had ran out.

More than 2000 farmers across the country fell victim to oversubscription, forcing the federal government to top up the rebate scheme with another $50m last federal budget.

Contingent on access to the additional funding is the requirement that states match the federal government dollar for dollar.

Queensland is the only state not to sign up to the topped up scheme - which was extended on Wednesday - arguing the state has offered its own EWIRS scheme since 2013, which has already paid out millions.

Unlike the federal scheme however, Queensland's EWIRS scheme is limited exclusively to primary producers. Leaving permanent growers like Ms Richter in the dark to when they will receive their entitled rebate.

"It's just a game of pass the buck between the federal and state governments," Ms Ritcher said.

"The scheme was offered to permanent tree and vine plants, which unlike livestock you can't just move towards water."

The drought of 2019-2020 forced Ms Ritcher's passionfruit farm to completely run out of water. The boar they installed - under the impression of receiving a rebate - did not provide a strong enough stream to save their vine crop.

"Passion fruit have to have regular water. We had to cut off all of our mature plants and water the plants that were the young to have any chance of getting any fruit," she said.

Ms Richter said she has been in communication with the state government since the federal government topped up funding in October last year.

"It feels like the state have never cared about this issue because they're dealing with federal money and not state money. It has been grossly mishandled. It was always going to be a problem if you have federal money being administered by the states and we've been punished for it."

Growcom CEO Stephen Barnard said that the unwillingness from the state to provide growers with drought infrastructure that is currently offered to primary producers is part of an alarming trend of industry bias.

"There is a worrying trend emerging in the way the Queensland Government is managing its drought assistance to industry, and in administering emergency water rebates in particular, which has led to a lack of confidence among growers", Mr Barnard said.

"The state government has remained unresponsive to legitimate requests that their own generous program currently exclusively enjoyed by the livestock industry, offering a 50 percent rebate on emergency water infrastructure, be extended to horticulture.

"Tree crops can't be moved to water while livestock can. And the long term economic cost, including reduced employment and local business activity, from a lost tree crop is unsurpassed. It's time we had greater equity in the support offered to Queensland agriculture through this drought and the next.

Growcom manager Richard Shannon said there are several examples where the livestock industry receives preferential treatment from government.

"It seems like we're not getting a fair shake of the sauce bottle. Every other state and territory is willing to provide this scheme to permanent tree crops but Queensland is unwilling too."

Mr Shannon highlighted examples of "unconscious" barriers facing horticulture. He referenced the government's drought and climate portal being named 'The Long Paddock'.

"It's an obvious reference to livestock industry, it's exclusive to one side of the agricultural industry."

"There's a two to one difference between funding for livestock biosecurity programs compared to the rest of industry. Another example of bias."