Adjustment Problems of Graziers' Families With Low Incomes in North‐Western Queensland

Abstract

Social and economic conditions of graziers in North‐Western Queensland in the period 1968–1972 are surveyed. The majority of those surviving economic crisis due to drought and low wool prices had either financial losses or low incomes, and their debt position worsened. A combination of socio‐economic conditions causes these low‐income graziers to represent a potential source of an under‐educated and un‐employable younger generation. Instead of sporadic help and annual grants more attention should be paid to planning for growth centres, long‐term finance, re‐training and stabilization of primary industries by way of exploring new markets, modernizing the marketing system, and supporting the prices if needs be.