PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS 15 February 1978
DROUGHT
The Prime Minister today said there would be a major review of
drought relief arrangements.
Mr Fraser said he had written. to the Premiers of New South
Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western
Australia asking for their agreement to the holding of a meeting
of Commonwealth and State officials shortly to review the drought
situation throughout mainland Australia.-
While some Premiers had requested extensions of the existing
measures supported under the natural disaster financial assistance
arrangements, good rains in some areas had resulted in an easing
of drought conditions.
It was now time, Mr Fraser said, to completely reassess the
situation to see what measures were needed to assist those
producers who had not benefitted from the rain.
In many areas, of course, follow up rains would be required
before it could be said the drought had broken.
While the States have the primary responsibility for deciding
on measures which the Commonwealth should be asked to support,
the Prime minister emphasised that the Commonwealth wished to
ensure that all practicable steps were being taken to ensure
that farmers throughout the drought areas received whatever
support is required to see them through this difficult period.