The Australia Government is investing in building drought resilient leaders through the $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said applications for the Drought Resilience Leaders program have opened in seven regions across Australia.
"We know that farmers listen to farmers, and others in their community. That's why we are investing in developing a new generation of community leaders to drive conversations and action to better prepare for inevitable drought," Minister Littleproud said.
"With drought conditions easing across much of the country, now is the time to build leadership capabilities, learning from others experience to build back better. We need to get prepared before the next drought inevitably comes."
The seven regions include Northern Wheatbelt, WA; Gascoyne Murchison, WA; Mallee, Vic; South-West Qld; Eyre Peninsula SA; Murraylands, SA; and Western NSW. They are part of an initial set of 12 regions being targeted for leadership development.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said the program is a partnership between the Australian Government and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Limited (ARLF).
The ARLF will work with the selected applicants to develop their leadership capabilities, encouraging them to work together with their communities to better prepare for drought.