Politics

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

Aug 08, 2018

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.”

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.

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.”