2020 too far off for drought stricken communities

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has arrived at the federal government’s two-hour drought summit to discover the federal government has already decided the outcome without consultation.

Canberra will provide $100 million to drought stricken communities but spends nothing until 2020.

"Queensland has battled drought for six years," the Premier said.

"2020 seems a bit far off when our farmers are struggling now."

Queensland has spent more than $670 million helping drought stricken communities.

At the same time the federal government has cut funding to provide emergency water infrastructure.

The Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate provides a 50 per cent rebate to producers to install pipes and bores to access the most precious commodity in a drought - water.

Queensland has spent $22.4 million on this vital scheme since 2015.

In January 2015 the federal government cut their 25 per cent share.

2671 have applied for this funding since January 2015 (as at August).

The Premier will argue to have the federal government restore their share of this vital funding in Canberra today.

ENDS

Media contact:

Shane Doherty - 0439 624 473