Thread by @BelindaJones68

Yesterday @AlanJones tore @ScottMorrisonMP a new one over drought funding

What surprised me was the PM, being his usual arrogant self, just doubled-down on commitments he's already made

Despite Jones' impassioned pleas, no NEW money was forthcoming from PM

Why?
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Here's the PM's interview with Alan Jones 15 October 2019
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2gb.com/alan-jones-tak…

So, I decided to have a squizz at where all the drought funding is going.

I think I found the reason why @ScottMorrisonMP doubled-down & didn't or won't announce any new drought relief funding.

Basically, he's broke.

Stone cold broke. Barely a brass razoo left
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Let's break it down in simple terms

The Morrison Govt says it has $7 BILLION in their drought package.

$5 BILLION of that is tied up in the Drought Future Fund, but it's not actually $5 billion

It's $3.9 BILLION - it will only get to $5 BILLION in 2028-29
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$7 billion - $5 billion = $2 billion

So, how is the $2 billion being spent?

I'll start with water infrastructure & commitments

Grand total of $1,392,230,240 (short of the $1.5 bn the PM says)

$2 BILLION - $1,392,230,240 = $607,769,760

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nationalwatergrid.gov.au/nwi-developmen…

Next, there's $1 million each for 123 councils under the Drought Communities Programme Extension

$607,769,760 - $123,000,000 = $484,769,760

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regional.gov.au/regional/progr…

And this council funding appears to be being pork-barreled into Coalition seats

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independentaustralia.net/politics/polit…

Next, there's $20 million for Agricultural Shows, the Prime Minister announced this commitment at the Burnie Show on October 4th 2019

$484,769,760 - $20,000,000 = $464,769,760
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Next, there's the Farm Household Assistance

That works out at $1.5 BILLION per decade or $150 million per year

$464,769,760 - $150,000,000 = $314,769,760

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abc.net.au/news/2019-09-2…

Then there is the Regional Investment Corporation giving out cheap loans to those in drought affected areas, $200 million so far.

$314,769,760 - $200,000,000 = $114,769,760

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Next there's $77 million in Rural Financial Counselling Service program

$114,769,760 - $77,000,00 = $37,769,760

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agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollection…

Then there's the Drought Community Support Initiative, a moth-balled program that the PM announced had recommenced when he visited Dalby a couple of weeks ago.

$37,769,760 - $33,000,000 = $4,769,760

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sbs.com.au/news/taking-ac…

That brings us to a GRAND TOTAL of $4,769,760 that is actually left out of $7 BILLION

And that doesn't include any other commitments the Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP or @D_LittleproudMP has made for mental health or anything else
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The REAL reason why the Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP won't commit anymore money to the drought is bcuz he's broke.

There's not really $7 BILLION, he's loose with the truth about that (like always), it's really about $2 BILLION minus all his commitments
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So, when @D_LittleproudMP says 'tackling the drought is like going up a set of stairs' what he really means is:

'we're actually broke as fuck, we have to wait until next financial year to draw down the interest from the Drought Future Fund'
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https://twitter.com/D_LittleproudMP/status/1183967432018317313?s=20

No wonder Littleproud is 'pleading with all levels of govt' to help.

My theory is that Morrison & the govt didn't expect to win the May election, so they ran the Treasury dry to make it that much harder for Labor, instead they sent themselves broke.

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So, that's what I reckon has happened to the '$7 BILLION' in drought funding that @ScottMorrisonMP is spruiking

I don't think farmers should hold out much hope for the Federal Govt to help them anymore, at least until next financial year.

The govt is broke.
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I'm happy to be proven wrong here @ScottMorrisonMP & @D_LittleproudMP

And if you think my figures are wrong, then provide me with a comprehensive breakdown of the ENTIRE $7 billion or STFU bcuz I'm sick of the lies, from both of you.

Our farmers deserve better
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#auspol #qt

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