The next National Drought Agreement should include provision of advice services to help rural communities recover financially from dry spells, the Financial Planning Association (FPA) says.

FPA made the call in its response to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s consultation seeking feedback for the next iteration of the agreement, a pact that commits federal and state governments to a consistent and shared approach to drought policy.

Head of Policy, Strategy and Innovation Ben Marshan says farming families often have complex financial arrangements that go beyond the areas of advice that a rural financial counsellor could provide at a time of crisis.

“When considering what assistance would be most appropriate to facilitate farming communities’ recovery from the significant economic disruption caused by drought, the FPA believes that it would be beneficial to include the provision of financial planning services,” he said.

“Such support would also assist in the development of farmers, farming families and farming communities’ resilience in the face of future droughts.”

Mr Marshan says the FPA strongly supports the National Drought Agreement and the crucial support all levels of government provide to farmers, farming families and farming communities during natural disasters.

“We also believe this review is an important opportunity to ensure that adequate and coordinated support across a broad continuum is provided in an efficient and effective fashion to those affected by drought, particularly when they most need it,” he said.

Submissions to the consultation closed last month and a report is expected by the end of this year, before signatories release a draft text of the next drought agreement for feedback next year.