Fed: Drought might be over for some: Truss
Agriculture Minister WARREN TRUSS has declared the drought over for some farmers asgood rainfall is recorded across many of the country's driest areas.
Mr TRUSS says although some regions are still parched, it's clear that good rains havebroken the drought with many farmers now planting long-awaited wheat crops.
But he's cautioned that some producers, hard hit by the drought, will still requirefinancial assistance for another two years.
Many farmers had been holding out for follow-up rains in recent weeks following goodfalls in February and early March.
Next month's federal Budget will confirm government spending of around $900 millionon drought assistance.
Mr TRUSS says more regions have been found to require drought assistance than firstthought necessary, but fewer farmers than expected had put up their hands for help.
And despite weekend rain, Canberra will tomorrow be forced to adopt tougher water restrictions.
AAP RTV sw/sb/rp
KEYWORD: DROUGHT (CANBERRA)
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