We should be helping these farmers to move on while the drought is focusing the country’s attention on the bush. Otherwise as the costs of water, fuel and transport rise, and the climate grows increasingly hostile, these same farmers will have to abandon their lands in an environment where there is less public and political will to do right by them.
By making these choices now, we can concentrate drought assistance on those farms and areas where it will actually have positive, long-term results, rather than squandering a good portion on it for the sake of salving a selective interpretation of our nation’s psyche, at the cost of our own wellbeing and that of the farmers concerned.
And if something is unsustainable then, by definition, it must come to an end, not just relocate it to another area which has yet to be exploited. It is up to us as a nation, to ensure that the transition from the current situation, to one that can continue, is as smooth, painless and fair as possible for the farmers as well as for the country.
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All Australians have to look at their lifestyles critically and replace the unviable practices with sustainable ones - not just in the bush, but in our cities, too. As easy as it would be to point the finger at industry or agriculture and demand that they, as the largest users of water must change, we all contribute to the problem as individuals and consumers and we must all help each other move forward, beyond the damaging practices of the past.
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About the Author
Andrew Bartlett has been active in politics for over 20 years, including as a Queensland Senator from 1997-2008. He graduated from University of Queensland with a degree in social work and has been involved in a wide range of community organisations and issues, including human rights, housing, immigration, Indigneous affairs, environment, animal rights and multiculturalism. He is a member of National Forum. He blogs at Bartlett's Blog.