26 March, 2019 – Mullaley, New South Wales – Met with the National Farmers Federation and member farmers and visited a local farm to discuss the impact of the drought.
15 March, 2019 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Met with Australian Government water representatives to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
13 March, 2019 – Karoonda, South Australia – Met with the Karoonda East Murray District Council to discuss local drought conditions.
12 March, 2019 – Loxton, South Australia – Meetings with the Mayor and CEO of Loxton Waikerie Council, with horticultural industry representatives and with SA Murray Irrigators. Also met with the SA Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Tim Whetstone and local farmers.
11 March, 2019 – Brisbane, Queensland – Met with the basin commissioner to discuss water issues.
7 March, 2019 – Cunnamulla, Queensland – Attended an Australian Government drought support information session with Minister Littleproud, Bruce King, CEO of the Regional Investment Corporation and the local Mayor, Lindsay Godfrey at the Paroo Shire Town Hall. Local farmers and community members attended.
1 March, 2019 – Sydney, New South Wales and teleconferences - Participated in consultation sessions with representatives from the ACT, Tasmanian, Western Australian and Northern Territory state government to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience. Participated in a drought roundtable hosted by the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud.
February 2019
26 - 28 February, 2019 – Mudgee and Orange, New South Wales - Meetings with the Mayor of Mudgee and local councillors and with local farmers and industry representatives from the surrounding local government areas. Also visited a farming property to gain an understanding of local conditions and innovation in farming practices. Attended the opening of the Regional Investment Corporation Office in Orange.
25 February, 2019 – Brisbane, Queensland – Meetings with AgForce Queensland and the Queensland Drought Commissioners to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
22 February, 2019 – Brisbane, Queensland – Met with the Country Women’s Association to discuss drought response efforts.
21 February, 2019 – Dirranbandi, Queensland – Toured a local farm and met with a number of livestock producers from the area. Meetings with local industry representatives, health service providers, local business owners and members of the community, and with the Mayor of Balonne Shire, Richard Marsh and councillors.
19 February, 2019 – Participated in consultation sessions with academics to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
13 February, 2019 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Met with the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison and the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud to provide an update on the drought response.
12 February, 2019 – Swan Hill, Victoria – Met with the Mayor of Swan Hill, councillors, community members and farmers from Swan Hill and surrounding local government areas. Also visited a farming property to gain an understanding of local conditions and innovation in dryland farming practices.
6 February, 2019 – Narrabri, New South Wales – Met with the Mayor of Narrabri and attended the drought community outreach event, which connected farmers and members of the community with government and charity support.
5 February, 2019 – Moree, New South Wales – Visited a farm in Mungindi and met with local farmers, businesses, the Mayor, local council members and industry representatives.
January 2019
31 January, 2019 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Met with the former National Advocate for Soil Health, Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery.
29 January, 2019 – Peterborough, South Australia – Met with the local council, state government representatives and farmers and visited a farming property to gain an understanding of local conditions.
25 January, 2019 – Brisbane, Queensland – Met with the Chair of QLD Reconstruction Authority to discuss disaster resilience and mitigation in relation to drought reliance strategies.
24 January, 2019 – Brisbane, Queensland – Attended the Australia vs Sri Lanka cricket test to participate in the drought relief fundraising efforts.
21 January, 2019 – Brisbane, Queensland – Meetings with Professor Aldar, an Israeli water engineer who has been heavily involved in Israeli drought resilience and water programs; and with the Local Government Association of Queensland to discuss their submission for the Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
18 January, 2019 – Wentworth, New South Wales – Met with the Wentworth Shire Council, local farmers and small business owners.
3 January, 2019 – Bundara, NSW – Conducted farm visit with local farmers and community to discuss impact of drought
December 2018
18 December, 2018 – Sale, Victoria – Meetings with representatives from the Wellington Shire Council, the Central and East Gippsland Drought Coordinator and Agriculture Victoria and with local farmers, business owners and rural financial counsellors.
17 December, 2018 – Brisbane, Queensland – Meeting with AgForce Queensland to discuss drought conditions in Queensland.
14 December, 2018 – Sydney, New South Wales – Meetings with mental health providers to discuss coordination of mental health supports in drought-affected communities and with representatives from a number of sporting organisations, including Australian Rugby Union, National Rugby League, Australian Football League, Cricket Australia, Basketball Australia, and Football Federation Australia to discuss support for communities dealing with drought.
12 December, 2018 – Canberra, ACT – Participated in the Department of Jobs and Small Business ‘small business mental health roundtable’ with Senator Michaela Cash and a number of small business and mental health stakeholders.
10 December, 2018 – Brisbane, Queensland – Meeting with Queensland Rural Financial Counselling Service staff.
7 December, 2018 – Dubbo, New South Wales – Participated in a consultation session with key expert, industry and government stakeholders to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
6 December, 2018 – Met with the Murray Darling Basin Authority and the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office to discuss the Murray Darling Basin.
4 December, 2018 – Perth, Western Australia – Participated in a consultation session with key expert, industry and government stakeholders to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
November 2018
30 November, 2018 – Brisbane, Queensland – Participated in a consultation session with key expert, industry and government stakeholders to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
29 November, 2018 – Melbourne, Victoria – Participated in a consultation session with key expert, industry and government stakeholders to inform a Commonwealth Strategy for Drought Preparedness and Resilience.
22 November, 2018 – Brisbane, Queensland – Meeting with Queensland Water to discuss water supply in the State and the impact of current drought conditions.
20 November, 2018 – Temora, New South Wales – Met with local farmer and founder of ‘Mate Helping Mate’, John Harper, and local farmers, service providers and industry representatives to discuss how to best deliver mental health support in rural and regional areas
15 November, 2018 – Warwick, Queensland – Met with a group of primary producers at a local farm, and consulted with local government members and stakeholders to discuss water availability, how to best deliver mental health support in rural and regional areas, and local business conditions
9 November, 2018 – Scone, New South Wales – Met with local government representatives, local farmers, farm businesses and stakeholders from the Upper Hunter region
7 November, 2018 - Meetings with the education sector to discuss education support for isolated and remote families in drought-affected communities and with the Farm Household Allowance Review Panel
2 November, 2018 – Meeting with Federal, State and Territory Government representatives to discuss coordination of mental health support in drought affected communities
October 2018
30 October, 2018 – Charleville, Queensland – Met with Mark O’Brien, Queensland Drought Commissioner and local farmers and businesses from the Charleville region
29 October, 2018 – Brisbane Queensland – Meetings with the Hon David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources and with Mrs Michele Lawrence (Chair) and Mrs Courtney Bryant (Director) FHA review team
26 October, 2018 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Attended the National Drought Summit along with more than 80 representatives across all levels of government and the agriculture, finance, charity and community sectors
25 October, 2018 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Met with Member for Hunter, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP and attended the Drought Finance Taskforce meeting
24 October, 2018 – Parkes, New South Wales – Meetings with the Parkes Shire Council and agricultural representatives, farmers and community members.
23 October, 2018 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory - Meeting with Geoff Fader, Chair of Rural Business Tasmania to discuss the Rural Financial Counselling Service
22 October, 2018 – Coordination meeting with charities providing assistance to drought affected communities.
19 October, 2018 – Mullaley, New South Wales – Return visit to meet with local farmers, suppliers and accountants, the Country Women’s Association and Aussie Helpers
18 October, 2018 - Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Meetings with Member for Calare, Mr Andrew Gee MP and Member for Hunter, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP
17 October, 2018 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Meeting with the Governor General
12 October, 2018 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory - Meeting with banking sector representatives
11 October, 2018 – Broken Hill, New South Wales – Meeting with local farmers and with the Pastoralists Association of Western Downs
10 October, 2018 - Meetings with Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud, and with charity and not-for-profit organisations providing assistance to drought-affected communities
05 October, 2018 - Rockhampton, Queensland – Meeting with the Mayor of Rockhampton, followed by a community meeting with farmers, educators, representative bodies and charities from the Rockhampton region
03 October, 2018 - Perth, Western Australia – Separate meetings with CBH Group, WA Department of Agriculture and Food, WA Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture and Food and WA Farmers association.
September 2018
28 September, 2018 – Armidale, Queensland – Meetings with the Mayor of the Armidale Regional Council, Jim Maker, counsellors, the Armidale Regional Council Drought Taskforce, agricultural peak bodies, community representatives and not-for-profits.
27 September, 2018 – Brisbane, Queensland - Convened the inaugural fodder meeting with agriculture sector, not-for-profits and government stakeholders to coordinate a response to get fodder to farmers who need it most.
26 September, 2018 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Convened the inaugural meeting with the education sector to discuss education support for isolated and remote families in drought-affected communities.
25 September, 2018 – Adelaide, South Australia – Meetings with the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Tim Whetstone, key industry and local government representatives.
21 September, 2018 – Tenterfield, New South Wales - Meetings with the Mayor of Tenterfield Shire Council, counsellors and council staff, as well as local business and not for profit representatives.
19 September, 2018 – Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Meeting with Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Special Envoy for Drought and President of the National Farmers Federation to discuss progress. The Prime Minister announced the National Drought Summit.
14 September, 2018 – Toowoomba, Queensland – Met with the Mayor of Toowoomba Regional Council and local farmers.
13 Sept, 2018 – Brisbane, Queensland – Convened the inaugural meeting with charities providing assistance to drought affected communities.
6 September, 2018 - Mullaley, New South Wales – Public meeting with farmers.
6 September, 2018 - Tamworth, New South Wales – Met with the Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council, representatives from the Salvation Army and NSW Farmers Federation and the local radio station.
August 2018
31 August, 2018 - Dubbo (NSW) – Attended a charity roundtable and drought discussion session. This was attended by rural financial counsellors, graziers, pork, dairy, poultry, irrigation, dryland copping, stock and station agent and rural supply stores.
30 August, 2018 - Canberra, Australian Capital Territory – Spoke at the CWA National Conference.
27 August, 2018 - Quilpie and Longreach, Queensland – Accompanied the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation and Minister for Agriculture to meet with primary producers.
