Canberra u-turns on drought-hit farmers taking a break in NZ

Many Australian farmers are battling tinder dry conditions. Photo / Reuters

The Australian government has had a change of heart about penalising drought-hit farmers who take up offers of free holidays in New Zealand.

The government was offering the farmers respite holidays but said they had to holiday in Australia in order to keep receiving drought assistance.

The agriculture minister has now said any farmer taking up what he called "the generous offer" from Federated Farmers in New Zealand of a free holiday would not lose that assistance.

Federated Farmers reported it had processed about 400 applications for free holidays, and the first families would be able to leave in the next week or so.

The Australian National Farmers Federation said a New Zealand holiday would be a welcome break for the farmers, some of whom had not seen green grass in years.

- NZPA