Drought and climate change are expected to put Australia’s agricultural industries and regional communities under mounting economic, environmental and social pressure. This inquiry examines the effectiveness, efficiency and appropriateness of Part 3 of the Future Drought Fund Act 2019. Part 3 covers the processes for allocating funding to activities that support drought resilience.

This report shows that despite early challenges, the Future Drought Fund (FDF) is establishing a solid foundation for building drought resilience. The first years have revealed opportunities to improve the design and delivery of the Fund’s programs, but a stronger focus on activities that generate lasting public benefits is needed.