Mr Cotter, speaking from an AgForce member visit through Central Queensland, said he was astounded by the National Rural Advisory Council’s recommendation to Federal Agricultural Minister Tony Burke to not grant EC status over regions of the Gulf devastated by floods and ensuing drought since January.

“Although AgForce is encouraged to hear the Queensland Government will submit a new application to NRAC with revised boundaries, the fact remains that graziers have been waiting 11 long months for assistance and they are understandably frustrated at the drawn-out process,” he said.

“It took far too long for any action to start on the EC assessment, and now there will be a further delay should the new submission from the Queensland Government even be considered.

“It is no wonder graziers in the Gulf believe they have been treated as second class citizens.

“They are looking down the barrel of the next wet season and are still waiting to access interest rate subsidies and other assistance after losing their income for the next few years.”

Mr Cotter said he was amazed that another submission was even required.

“It sounds ironic to receive drought relief after a flood, but the flood waters covered the Gulf’s grazing land for so long that the seed bank was washed away or drowned and the grass never grew back. So on top of all the stock and infrastructure losses from the floods, recovery has been constrained by pasture destruction.

“It is a unique situation which requires a unique response, and it is appalling that NRAC has determined the situation facing graziers does not ‘meet the criteria’.

“This is the stuff of ‘Yes Minister’ – what graziers in the Gulf don’t need is further delay to a sorry episode that occurred almost a year ago.”

Mr Cotter said if the EC application was ever approved, it would be the first time in Australia that drought assistance has been made available to flood victims.

“The message to NRAC is loud and clear: it is going to take producers several years to recover fully, so the application for EC must be passed to allow these graziers to get back on their feet.”