NSW government removes Jock Laurie from drought coordinator role

Deputy premier John Barilaro says government establishing dedicated office of drought response

In the midst of one of the worst droughts in history, the New South Wales government has jettisoned its drought co-ordinator, Jock Laurie, the former head of the National Farmers' Federation, after less than a year in the role.

Laurie, who was the land and water commissioner when he was appointed drought co-ordinator, was tasked with leading the second phase of the government's emergency drought response. This has included working with regional councils to secure their water supplies in the face of a prolonged dry period.