National Review of Drought Policy

Background

At the Primary Industries Ministerial Forum in Cairns on 29 February 2008, Ministers agreed that current approaches to drought and Exceptional Circumstances are no longer the most appropriate in the context of a changing climate. Drought policy needs to be improved to create an environment of self-reliance and preparedness, and encourage the adoption of appropriate climate change management practices.

Reviewing and improving drought policy in parallel with the development of climate change policies and programs will put Australian farmers in the best possible position to meet the challenges of a changing climate.

For information on the National Drought Policy (2004): National Drought Policy   PDF [130 KB] 

The National Review of Drought Policy

The Australian Government conducted a comprehensive national review of drought policy through three separate assessments. The review will support the development of policies to help better prepare farmers and rural communities for a changing climate.
The review includes:

• an economic assessment of drought support measures by the Productivity Commission
• an assessment by an expert panel of the social impacts of drought on farm families and rural communities
• a climatic assessment by the Bureau of Meteorology and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) of the likely future climate patterns and the current Exceptional Circumstances standard of a one-in-20-to-25-year-event.

The WA Drought Pilot

The Australian Government, in partnership with the Western Australian Government, is conducting a pilot of drought reform measures in part of Western Australia. The pilot tests a package of new measures developed in response to the national review of drought policy. The measures are designed to move from a crisis management approach to risk management. The aim is to better support farmers, their families and rural communities in preparing for future challenges, rather than waiting until they are in crisis to offer assistance.

The pilot was rolled out on the 1 July 2010 for a trial period of 12 months. On 10 May 2011 the government announced that the trial period was to be extended for a further 12 months until the 30 June 2012. From 1 July 2011 the pilot was expanded in area, including all of the south west region of Western Australia. The initiatives under the WA Pilot of drought reform measures are scheduled to close on 30 June 2012. For more information on the WA Drought Pilot, please visit the WA Drought Pilot webpage.

The Pilot Review

In 2011, an independent advisory panel reviewed the pilot to inform ongoing work on national drought policy reform. For more information on the review, please visit the WA Pilot Review webpage. 

Media and Publications

Recent Communiques from SCoPI, PIMC and PIMF

• Standing Council on Primary Industries - 27 April 2012
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council - 28 October 2011
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council - 14 July 2011
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council - 15 April 2011
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council - 5 November 2010
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council - 23 April 2010
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council - 6 November 2009
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council - 21 May 2009
• Primary Industries Ministerial Forum - 13 February 2009
• Primary Industries Ministerial Forum - 12 November 2008
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council – 06 November 2008
• Primary Industries Ministerial Forum - 19 September 2008
• Primary Industries Ministerial Council - 17 April 2008
• Primary Industries Ministerial Forum - 29 February 2008 

Further information

For further details about the national review of drought policy, please refer to the relevant terms of reference. Terms of reference for the three assessments were developed in consultation with state and territory governments and relevant Commonwealth agencies.

Contact the Drought Policy Review.