1 In 20 Australian Farms Beyond Financial, Government Help

ONE in 20 farms are unsustainable and should be cut from the Federal Commonwealth's $2 billion drought relief program, a leading water expert claims. National Water Commission head Professor Peter Cullen, said some smaller properties wouldn't survive the crippling drought regardless of how much money was thrown at them.

Prime Minister John Howard yesterday blasted such suggestions as "ludicrous", saying all farmers deserved help in surviving the big dry.

Professor Cullen's controversial remarks expanded on his claims last week that government handouts were "maximising the misery" of farmers. He said permanent climate change had rendered some rural areas useless. "I don't think it's going to get any better and our drought policy needs to review that and see whether it's appropriate to try and keep them there," Professor Cullen said.

The environmentalist has suggested drought assistance should be scrapped for a loan scheme like HECS to force farmers and their bankers to make hard choices as to whether to hang on or sell.

EDIT

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20625357-5006009,00.html

set up a wind farm?

converting wind to electricity