Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

The seed had gone, yes. And that means that the weeds get an advantage, but other than weeds there is not a whole lot growing in the immediate event after a flood like that. The EC application was therefore assessed not on the basis of there having been a flood but on the basis of the impact of the long-term inundation. That meant, just as the farmers predicted that day, that if you came back in a few months time it would not look like the aftermath of a flood but the aftermath of a long-term drought. That is exactly what those producers have been seeing—in addition to the loss of in excess of 100,000 head of cattle.

With all of that, we did what we always do and referred it to NRAC, the National Rural Advisory Council. They came back with their recommendations. I am glad the member asked the question today and not yesterday because this morning the government accepted the advice of NRAC and EC will be provided for that area.

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