It was great to meet Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty, the Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, REROC Chair Rick Firman and other local mayors today for wide-ranging discussions on the drought and other issues.

Topics discussed included the increasing pressure on primary producers as the drought worsens, the belief by producers that freight subsidies are urgently needed, the importance of acting quickly to control feral animals – especially during drought when pest species may be easier to manage – and the need for a producer-led drought forum to find solutions to this increasingly harmful situation.

Minister Moriarty outlined current steps the government is taking, and I look forward to further for measures that will make a difference.