Senator Williams said the National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) has recommended to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke that EC not be extended to the area.

He said NRAC claims despite poor conditions during winter and spring last year, there had not been a rare and severe climatic event as required under the criteria.

Senator Williams said he found this hard to fathom.

“Anybody living in the Bundarra area or driving through last year could see the dire conditions that existed and had been existing for many years.

The district had good general rain prior to Christmas and the NRAC members would have seen green grass and water in dams when they visited Bundarra in January, but this was only a bandaid fix.  Coming from a farming background themselves, the NRAC members should have realised a fall of rain does not generate a miracle recovery.

I am very disappointed for the Bundarra and district farming families who had been pinning their hopes on a favourable decision.

I will be investigating if there is anything that can be done to have this decision appealed”, Senator Williams said.

ENDS