Why Australian governments no longer make drought declarations
Droughts are no longer formally declared in Australia. How come? (ABC News: Jordan Hayne)
South-eastern Australia is experiencing some of the driest periods in recorded history and many people are wondering why a drought has not been officially declared.
Data from the Bureau of Meteorology showed many parts of South Australia experienced the lowest rainfall on record since February last year.
Areas in the north-west of Victoria and along the coastline near Warrnambool have also experienced record-low rainfall.
A change to the national drought policy more than a decade ago changed the way federal and state governments approached periods of drought.
But without an official declaration some farmers feel their circumstances have not been properly acknowledged by the government.
Parts of SA and Victoria have experienced their driest periods on record. (ABC South East SA: Caroline Horn)
Why are droughts no longer declared?
Up until 2012, the Australian government made exceptional circumstances declarations to reflect droughts in certain areas.
Such a declaration would designate certain areas of the country as being in drought and support was only available for people who were within the boundaries.
But in the 2013, Intergovernmental Agreement on National Drought Program reform the Commonwealth and all states decided to no longer make formal declarations of drought at any level.
The decision has been carried through to the 2024-2029 National Drought Agreement.
It was deemed that the measure would lead to better support for farmers by providing assistance based on need rather than having to wait to become eligible based on a declaration.
Andrew Weidemann says drought policy has shifted to focus on getting farmers prepared for dry seasons. (Supplied: Andrew Weidemann)
Would an acknowledgement help?
Grain Producers Australia southern director Andrew Weidemann said recognition of the hardship primary producers were experiencing would help the mental health of farmers.
"I think the acknowledgement is crucial for that health and wellbeing of people, particularly in these dry areas, and the acknowledgement that this is serious in terms of what's going on," he said.
"One of the other key and critical areas here is that the services industries are also suffering, and I know there's a lot of focus … on us as farmers, but it's the service industries that also need to be supported through this process."
The Victorian government has approached drought support with a framework for management and recovery that continually monitors seasonal conditions.
It is designed so that support can be increased if dry conditions worsen and the impacts on farmers and communities intensify.
Peter Malinauskas says the drought situation is "essentially a crisis". (ABC Midwest & Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis)
More drought support for SA
The South Australian government on Tuesday announced a $55 million drought package, after Premier Peter Malinauskas met with farming groups last week.
The package included $13 million for on-farm drought infrastructure grants, $4 million to assist charities with freight costs and $2.5 million for mental health support.
This is in addition to an $18 million drought package from the government late last year.
The Premier said the roundtable discussions with farming groups helped guide the government's spending.
"The way we tailor the package, we wanted to try to address as many different needs as possible,"he said.
Nicola Centofanti wants a state of emergency to be declared in SA.
Is it time to call an emergency?
SA Liberal Party water spokeswoman Nicola Centofanti suggested declaring a state of emergency.
She said that would allow for the appointment of a coordinator similar to those deployed during natural disasters as a centralised agency for response and recovery.
"We feel it's important to have someone on the ground that can liaise with government officials and get a rapid response for farmers as needed," Ms Centofani said.
"They're in an emergency situation and that is why we are calling on the government to declare this drought at a state emergency, so it gets the resourcing and attention it deserves."
SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, who would be responsible for declaring a state of emergency, said there were no powers under the Emergency Management Act that would provide relief or support to people experiencing drought.