Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is tightening drought assistance pressure on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull by calling for the government’s $12,000 cash grants to farmers to be accelerated to September 1.
Mr Shorten also announced a $20 million scheme to fund outback councils to create jobs.
Mr Turnbull on Sunday announced the scheme to be paid to drought-ravaged farmers on top of their $16,000 annual Farm Household Allowance.
However, some farmers criticised the plan as “too little too late”.
Mr Shorten has called on the government to accelerate the cash grants so farming families in need receive the full $12,000 by September 1.