Steve Cansdell, the previous member for Clarence and current candidate for the Shooters, Fishers & Farmers party for Clarence has today announced he will be donating to charity his 2.5% pay rise from his Government pension to support the drought affected farmers struggling throughout NSW.

All past and present members of NSW Government this year received a 2.5% pay rise while at the same time failing to provide any assistance to our struggling farmers.

Steve is currently touring drought affected areas of NSW through Dubbo and Broken Hill. “Even Kangaroos and Emus are looking half starved, dams are empty, sheep lying in paddocks dead from no water or food’ said Steve. Farmers are telling him it’s the worst drought in living memory.

Since the National Party have failed our struggling farmers it now falls upon people like us to donate what we can to get them through this.

Steve’s calling on Chris Gulaptis, the sitting Nationals member for Clarence to follow suit and support our farmers. “If you won’t support our battling aussie farmers with government assistance the least you can do is to follow my lead and also donate your government pay rise to a charity to support our farmers.”

Steve also calls on John Barilaro the NSW Nationals Leader and Gladys Berejiklian the NSW Premier to urgently provide a drought relief package for farmers that includes freight and fodder subsidies instead of loans. “Something needs to be done now.”

“We are one of the few countries in the world who do not support our struggling rural sector.”

“The State Government have $1.5 billion to relocate the Powerhouse Museum, $2 billion for new stadiums but where is the support to our farmers who are struggling to survive in this one of the most severe droughts on record.” Said Steve.