The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association believe an NT drought working group should be established as a matter of priority.
NTCA chief executive officer Ashley Manicaros said the matter had been raised with the Minister for Primary Industry and Resources Paul Kirby and given the current funding programs being made available by the Federal Government its establishment would be timely.
“To date there has been little drought relief for Northern Territory producers and having a working group will help refine priorities,” Mr Manicaros said.
Mr Manicaros said the group should include key government agencies like the Department of Primary Industry and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“We are working with the Northern Territory Government on a pastoral rent waiver process for those areas which have been affected by below average rainfall over the last few seasons,” he said.
“At a national level the NTCA has been presenting our priorities as a singular voice.
“We have kept the Northern Territory Government abreast of what we have been seeking.”
“Given the breadth of the packages being made available it would make sense to ensure the full weight of a government is behind an industry and the regional communities which rely on its existence when it comes to minimizing what are already substantial impacts.”