Drought policy forums

As part of the Australian Government’s national review of drought policy, a series of 25 forums is being held across Australia.

An expert panel is touring the country to examine the social impacts of the drought on farm families and rural communities, and the types of social support people value in times of drought, irrespective of whether they are eligible for Exceptional Circumstances assistance.

Of particular interest is how the drought has impacted on:

• an individual's mental and physical health
• family relationships
• the cohesion, provision of services and the functioning of local communities

Anyone who can't attend a forum personally has the opportunity to make their views known in the form of a written submission. An issues paper can be found on the National Review of Drought Policy’s website http://www.daff.gov.au/droughtpolicyreview and provides some guidelines on how to make a submission. Written submissions must be with the Panel by Friday 8 August 2008.

Proposed NSW towns and dates are listed below. Keep checking the following website for details of venues and times
http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/drought/national_review_of_drought_policy/social_assessment

Location Date

Inverell – NSW Thursday 24 July
Bourke – NSW Friday 25 July
Gilgandra – NSW Monday 18 August
Forbes – NSW Tuesday 19 August
Griffith – NSW Thursday 21 August
Goulburn – NSW Friday 22 August

Trudy Glasgow
Manager, Public Affairs (Sydney)
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Level 6, 201 Elizabeth St
SYDNEY 2000
PH 02 8289 3928; 0427 217 354
FAX 02 9286 3893
trudy.glasgow@dpi.nsw.gov.au