As the plight of our drought-ravished farmers continues to deteriorate numerous drought prevention strategies are being recommended from across the political divide.   Barnaby Joyce is chief among those calling for better drought-proofing infrastructure and initiatives. The newly appointed drought envoy is advocating for drought to be treated in the same way an emergency bush fire. This would allow environmental water to be diverted away from the Murray-Darling river system and put towards growing fodder for starving stock. Meanwhile, Resources Minister Matt Canavan is championing a fresh blueprint that's been handed to Scott Morrison's Government, which would see six new dams built in Northern Queensland.  But Robbie Katter, the QLD member for Traeger, says the best way to circumvent more farmer pain is to create a rural development bank. This would offer alternative lending arrangements to what is available commercially for farmers.    " There's some good people out there that with alternative lending arrangements would come good," he says. "We'd save a lot of people"  "And it's no cost to the taxpayer. The only thing holding this back is economic ideoogues who say government can't own banks anymore." "My big question is why? If it makes sense and it's no cost to the taxpayer?"

<div>As the plight of our drought-ravished farmers continues to deteriorate numerous drought prevention strategies are being recommended from across the political divide.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>Barnaby Joyce is chief among those calling for better drought-proofing infrastructure and initiatives. The newly appointed drought envoy is advocating for drought to be treated in the same way an emergency bush fire. This would allow environmental water to be diverted away from the Murray-Darling river system and put towards growing fodder for starving stock. Meanwhile, Resources Minister Matt Canavan is championing a fresh blueprint that's been handed to Scott Morrison's Government, which would see six new dams built in Northern Queensland.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>But Robbie Katter, the QLD member for Traeger, says the best way to circumvent more farmer pain is to create a rural development bank.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>This would offer alternative lending arrangements to what is available commercially for farmers.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>" There's some good people out there that with alternative lending arrangements would come good," he says.</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>"We'd save a lot of people"&nbsp;</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>"And it's no cost to the taxpayer. The only thing holding this back is economic ideoogues who say government can't own banks anymore."</div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div>"My big question is why? If it makes sense and it's no cost to the taxpayer?"</div>

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<p>A fast-paced show, focusing on current events, social issues, sport and entertainment.</p>

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