The Queensland and South Australian Governments have announced their support of an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on the National Drought Program Reform.

The two states now join Western Australia in rolling out the agreement, which outlines each government’s roles and responsibilities in implementing the package of drought-related programs which commence in July next year.

South Australian Minister for Agriculture, Gail Gago, said that the agreement will pave the way for the provision of support for the nation’s drought stricken farmers.

“This new package will help farmers prepare for the difficulties of drought and other challenges and will ensure that governments and industry are acting proactively rather than reactively,” Ms Gago said.

“We are committed to supporting resilient farm businesses, as making this national agreement demonstrates.

“The agreement provides a clear, transparent framework for governments to use to assistfarms when conditions become difficult due to drought.”

The suite of reforms will allow for the formation of a new national approach to farm business training,