National Drought Agreement.

This Agreement between the Commonwealth, states and territories of Australia builds on drought policy reform and provides a framework to enable consistency of drought policy and reform objectives and complementarity of drought preparedness, response and recovery programs. It proritises objectives and outcomes that enhance long-term preparedness, sustainability, resilience and risk management for farming businesses and farming communities in Australia. This Agreement also complements other measures taken by jurisdictions to promote adaptation to climate change.
The Agreement is intended to: a. provide a framework for jurisdictions to ensure: i. collaboration in drought preparedness, response and recovery; ii. consistency of drought policy and reform objectives; iii. complementarity of drought preparedness, response and recovery programs; iv. efforts are not unnecessarily duplicated or critical issues overlooked. b. enable farming businesses, farming families and farming communities to manage and prepare for drought, climate change and variability, by supporting their long-term sustainability and resilience, the adoption of robust risk management practices and sound natural resource management. c. increase the adoption by farming businesses and the farming sector of self-reliant, sustainable and resilient approaches to manage business risks, through improved skills and business decision-making, and the adoption of new knowledge and tools from research and development. d. ensure services to mitigate the effects of drought on health and well-being are accessible to farming families and farming communities. e. ensure support measures are accessible and clear information is available for those in need, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. f. provide decision makers, industry and the public with access to common sources of quality, drought-related data to improve policy and business decision making.
The parties will report against their roles and responsibilities and performance of drought related programs annually to Agriculture Senior Officials Committee (AGSOC) and AGSOC will report annually to the Agriculture Ministers' Forum (AGMIN). AGMIN will oversee and report annually to the Council of Australian Governments (COAGL) and as required, on progress on implementing this Agreement.