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The Australian National University

Drought policy

NIRRA Director awarded ARC grant

Congratulations to NIRRA Director, Dr Linda Botterill who has been awarded an ARC grant as part of the successful Discovery Projects announced late October.  Dr Botterill will work with partner investigators Dr DA Wilhite (University of Nebraska) and Dr MJ Hayes (National Drought Mitigation Centre) on 'The role of Science in the Policy process: responding to drought in Australia and the USA'. 

PhD scholarships supplemented by part-time RA work

An opportunity exists for two PhD students to join a research project titled Drought, Climate Change and Rural Adjustment: Tracking the Destinations of Existing Farmers.

Government drought support – results from the Productivity Commission inquiry

Event type: 
Date and Time: 
24 June 2009 - 12:00pm - 1:30pm

RSVP information

RSVPs essential, preferably by Monday 22 June 2009. Send responses to: Andrew.hodges@daff.gov.au

Location

Seminar Room A, Coombs Building
Fellows Road The Australian National University
Canberra, ACT 0200
Australia

Description

This seminar is hosted by the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economic Society.

Parts of Australia are emerging from one of the most severe droughts on record. Other parts of the country remain in drought – it is considered to be an integral part of the Australian lifestyle.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency, severity and length of droughts. Australian agriculture ministers agreed that existing drought policies were no longer appropriate in the context of climate change.

The Australian Government commissioned a review of drought policy, taking into account future climate patterns, the social impacts of drought and an economic assessment of drought support measures. Dr Neil Byron was one of three Commissioners overseeing the economic assessment.

In this seminar he will talk through the results of the inquiry, which was released on 12 May 2009.

Speaker Bio

Dr Byron joined the Productivity Commission at its inception in 1998 and has presided over nine inquiries and assisted four others. Dr Bryon started his career with a science degree in forestry before undertaking postgraduate studies at the University of British Columbia. He has since worked in government (Bureau of Agricultural Economics inter alia), academia (the Australian National University) and in the development sector (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization inter alia). Neil has served on numerous boards, including editorial boards for a number of journals and is widely published in his own right.

Beyond drought in Australia: The way forward

NIRRA Member Author/Editor

Botterill, LC.  2003.  Beyond drought in Australia: The way forward. Beyond Drought - People, Policy and Perspectives. :197-207.

Government Responses to Drought in Australia

NIRRA Member Author/Editor

Botterill, LC.  2003.  Government Responses to Drought in Australia. Beyond Drought - People, Policy and Perspectives. :49-65.

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