Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

Last week I travelled to Dubbo with the Prime Minister to attend the Bush Summit, hosted by The Daily Telegraph. It was an excellent event that provided all attendees with an important understanding of the issues facing our drought-affected communities now, and also what is going to be needed to recover. To prepare now for the next drought was a constant theme of the day.

In Dubbo, the Leader of the Opposition promised to stop playing games on drought. Drought has already cost our economy $12 million, and it won't be long before the national impact of the drought will be felt by all, even in Brunswick and Richmond. Already wool production and sheep numbers have hit 100-year lows. Our horticultural sector is concerned about its ability to plant and harvest a number of crops. It is likely that without spring rain our grain production will take a huge hit.

This drought will have a significant impact on Australia's bottom line for some years to come. The Liberals and Nationals are on the side of the farmers. Regional Australia made that clear on 18 May. It's now time to deliver.