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Abstract
In response to a series of adverse weather events, in parts of the cereal crop belt from
1998 to 2001, the State and the Commonwealth Governments implemented support
measures for farmers in the cereal belt of Western Australia.
A critique of the State Government Adverse Seasonal Conditions in the Agricultural
Sector (ASCAS) support packages is presented.
The schemes are expensive, could adversely affect the normal adjustment process, have
subjective boundaries, deliver grants to some multi millionaires, attract a small element
of clearly ineligible claimants, and in 2001 the second ASCAS package was provided
prior to excellent late winter and spring rains.