Search
Discover

Stories

Enjoy your

Health

Grow your

Money

Experience
In Politics on Wednesday 8th Aug, 2018

‘Disgraceful’: Alan Jones urges pollies ‘to get off their arses’ over drought

Written byStarts at 60 Writers
He has called for the drought to be classified as a natural disaster. Source: ABC/Getty.

Veteran radio host Alan Jones has laid into Malcolm Turnbull over his handling of the current drought crisis, telling him to take action or “give up the job to someone who can”.

The 2GB host described the Prime Minister’s reaction to the crippling drought that is currently plaguing the nation as “disgusting and disgraceful” and urged the Coalition to declare it a national disaster.

“Can someone in government today declare this a national disaster and apply all the resources of government to addressing the disaster exactly as was done when Cyclone Larry hit Queensland in March 2006,” he said on Wednesday.

“The reaction of the Turnbull government has been disgusting and disgraceful and Malcolm Turnbull if you can’t do this, in this moment of significant difficulty for the nation, then give up the job and give it to someone who can.”

Read more: ‘Dry spring and tough summer’: Turnbull’s package to help struggling farmers

On Sunday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a new $190million package to help struggling farmers in Australia cope with the drought, which is the result of excessively low rainfall after the country suffered the driest July on record since 2002. 

Speaking in NSW, Turnbull said the Farm Household allowance would increase by $7,2000 for singles and $12,000 for couples. However the money would be handed out in two $6,000 payments. The first would reach farmers in September, while they would need to wait until March 2019 for the second payment.

Read more: Furious Kochie slams Turnbull in fiery TV row over farming drought funds.

However Jones doesn’t think that’s enough and urged the government to do more to help struggling Aussie farmers, after it was revealed in New South Wales 99 per cent of the state is affected, while 58 per cent of Queensland is in drought.

“I’m going to ask your indulgence. What I’m about to say, I’ll be saying many times between now and 9 o’clock. The Turnbull government… has to today declare this drought a national disaster,” Jones added. “Forgive the language but in the language of my old man, will someone get off their arse and do something.”

Jones isn’t the only broadcaster to slam the government’s handling of the crisis though, as Sunrise presenter David ‘Kochie’ Koch also locked horns with the PM during a live interview on Monday over the financial aid being offered to those in strife.

“Couple of things,” Kochie said, interrupting Turnbull. “The $12,000 is terrific, $6,000 now, the other $6,000 not until March. Why just not pay it all now?”

“They need it now,” he snapped, as the PM insisted March wasn’t that far away. “Hang on,” Kochie added. “March is a long way away. We’re in a drought.”

What do you think? Should the government be doing more to help Aussie farmers affected by the drought? Should it be declared a national disaster?

Leave your comment

Retrieving conversation…

Book your next holiday

Cruise

Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Brisbane or Sydney

Half-price deposit + free credit
7 nights from $1,269
Cruise

Cruise to Singapore on the Queen Elizabeth - Departing Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne

Savings + Reduced Deposit + More
13 nights from $2,259
Cruise

13-night New Zealand Roundtrip from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane

Half-price deposit + free credit
13 nights from $1,999
Cruise

2-night Melbourne to Sydney Cruise

Sampler Cruise
2 nights from $329
Stay

Cook Islands: 6 nights at Aitutaki, "the world's best lagoon"

Flights + Lagoon Cruise + More!
6 nights from $1,638
Cruise

Sydney to Auckland Christmas Cruise on the Ruby Princess 2019

LOVE AT SEA extra bonuses!
13 nights from $2,329
Show me more holidays
Discover

Stories

Go to stories →

News

Entertainment

Opinion

Lifestyle

Tech

Food & drink

From our community

Enjoy your

Health

Go to health →

Being Healthy

Health Issues

ArthritisBladder HealthBone HealthBowel HealthCancerDementiaDentalDiabetesHearingHeart HealthLung HealthMental HealthPainSkincareSleepVision
Grow your

Money

Go to money →

Retirement

Property

Investment

Everyday money

Estate Planning

Experience

Go to travel →

Deals

Cruises

Rail

Tours

Stay

Packaged

About usContactAdvertisingJobsPrivacy
Follow us:
Proudly Australian owned and operated
Major partner:
Westpac