Dr Haines said she was left scratching her head over the news the government had deemed water-logged Moyne shire eligible for $1 million in drought assistance funding.

She said the fact they had not consulted with local governments showed they were creating policy on the run.

"Rural people are entitled to ask, does this government have any sense? And does this government care about regional Australia?," Dr Haines said.

"A government that cares about regional Australia would be providing immediate financial support, and yet only paltry sums have been spent in rural assistance - just $336m in the past year.

"The government claims it has put up $7 billion to support farmers through the drought, but this is a fabrication. The Drought Future Fund accounts for $5 billion of this, yet it won't accumulate to that level for another 10 years."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Dr Haines said the government needs to create a plan for the future to shape its policy decisions.

"What is surprising is the lack of planning," she said.

"I want to see a government that's really seriously looking at what is causing the drought and the impact the changing climate is having on the long term future and how communities will adapt to that."

Dr Haines said she would be putting a motion to the house on October 14 calling for the creation of a national strategy on climate change and agriculture which should take into account the ideas of people from various sectors including farming, science, regional development, local government, business and environmental management.

On Wednesday the Victorian state government announced $31 million of targeted support would be given to people in areas hardest hit by the drought - including the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District. Of the $31 million, $3 million is allocated to deliver hardship payment of up to $3000 per family.