Ms Hodgkinson and NSW drought co-ordinator Tim Johnston were in Bathurst yesterday as part of a tour of drought-affected communities.

But the minister did not have good news for the farmers of the Bathurst region dealing with a disastrous season.

On Wednesday, Ms Hodgkinson announced an additional $7 mill-ion in drought assistance measures for 20 local government areas in the state’s north and far west. 

Yesterday, she referred questions about the extent of drought conditions in the Central Table-lands back to the regional assistance advisory committee, but said the area looked dry and she was feeding her own livestock in her electorate of Burrinjuck. 

She said it was not ideal that an arbitrary line was drawn on a map and farmers on one side of that line received assistance while farmers on the other side did not, but said nothing could be done until the Federal Government’s farm household allowance starts on July 1. 

“We’re still waiting on information from the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth traditionally carries the biggest load when it comes to assistance during drought time, so I am really hoping they come forward with a thorough and comprehensive package of assistance for all those people in need,” she said. 

The federal Labor government ended the exceptional circumstances scheme in June 2012 and announced a new scheme based on a farm household allowance. 

But farmers who require support between now and July 1 can only access income support payments with an assets and income test similar to Newstart. 

“That’s the whole problem ... we were trying to get rid of EC [exceptional circumstances] but the new model from the Commonwealth comes in on the first of July. Queensland has gone back to the old system, so we’ve pretty much had to go back to what Queensland have done,” Ms Hodgkinson said. 

“Someone gets it, somebody misses out.” 

State Member for Bathurst Paul Toole met with Minister Hodgkin-son late yesterday afternoon at the Local Land Services offices in Corporation Avenue.

“I know local farmers are doing it tough and are hoping for some assistance from the government to get through this dry spell,” Mr Toole said. 

“However, there are processes to be followed and we have the drought co-ordinator on the ground here talking to farmers and collecting the necessary data for a report back to the minister’s office.”

“Yes, it’s a dire situation out there, but the Minister comes from a farming background and has real compassion for how the current situation is impacting on our primary producers.

“I sure sure she will act quickly and from a personal viewpoint I am pleading with her to take action as soon as her powers allow.”