OVER the past two weeks there is not a paper, television, radio or Facebook feed that has not oozed with bleeding hearts about the drought. It has been a shock-wave of grief and woe. One might think the big dry started only last month.
In fact, it looks like the drought has come to Sydney’s doorstep and that's why it is suddenly a national crisis.
Fortunately, south-east Queensland has been lucky, having recorded reasonable wet seasons over the past few years.
But how about a shout out to the poor souls of western Queensland who have been battling these conditions for years?
The media rejoices in the devastation but does little to celebrate the farmer who has drought-proofed his enterprise and diversified income.
The story for many is one of remarkable resilience in the face of tough climatic conditions, not one of woe and handouts.
Australian farmers stand mostly on their own and have to survive this drought and the next. Many have done remarkably well over the past decade due to boom prices.
Grief sells. Politicians jump on the bandwagon because donning an Akubra and supporting farmers buys votes.
We need a conversation about drought aid and whether or not it is appropriate and delivered in the right way.
Even the word drought needs to be examined on a continent where dry times outnumber good seasons.
A conversation also could explain the benefits of building an inland rail system for efficient movement of grain and fodder across the continent.
We need strong and fair trade agreements with our global markets that protect our agricultural industries from unfair levels of subsidy and tariffs.
Such a conversation would be far more positive and much more use than another tear-jerking story of grief and despair.
