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Personal Explanation
The Hon. DUNCAN GAY, by leave, I wish to make a personal explanation. Earlier today in question time the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries made some unfortunate comments to the effect that I have done nothing to try to help our farmers and farming communities in the current drought. The Minister is completely incorrect. My staff and I have been in regular contact with the Federal Minister's office seeking practical solutions for farmers who are coming to me with particular problems. As soon as I heard that exceptional circumstances applications for some parts of the State had not been approved I contacted the Federal Minister's staff to get more details, and to seek an assurance that the applications would be reconsidered as a matter of urgency once the additional information was made available by the State Government.
That assurance has been given. I have also been working with the Australian Bankers Association and a major bank on some issues to do with excessive transaction fees for farmers who have been hit hard by the drought. I raised in this place on several occasions problems being faced by farmers in accessing assistance provided by the New South Wales Rural Assistance Authority, and the Minister has had representations from me on that very issue. As a result of the raising of that issue, one of the farmers that I referred to has finally seen some action from the Rural Assistance Authority—and, frankly, not before time.
I have been out talking to people in the regional areas. I have been taking their concerns to the appropriate people. Just because I have not been spending thousands of dollars of taxpayers money flying around the State on charter flights to criticise the Federal Government that does not mean that I have not been representing country people and drought-affected farmers. The Minister should take some careful note of problems with State-based drought assistance measures—which are his responsibility—and work out how to resolve the outstanding problems I have raised with him.
The Hon. Peter Primrose: Point of order: This is going way beyond a personal explanation.
The PRESIDENT: Is leave being withdrawn?
The Hon. Peter Primrose: Yes.
The PRESIDENT: Leave has been withdrawn. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat.