The Abbott government has played Scrooge when it comes to hand-outs to the manufacturing industry.
SPC Ardmona and Holden have gone away empty-handed in recent months.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has insisted that the government is not an "ATM of last resort", while Treasurer Joe Hockey declared an end to the "age of entitlement".
But the government's found $320 million for the farming sector.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott argues Australia's farmers are a special case, deserving of government support when times are tough.
And they are tough.
Almost three-quarters of Queensland and more than half of NSW is in drought, with some parts having suffered its consequences for more than two years.
It wasn't that long ago many areas emerged from a nine-year dry spell, often called the "millennium drought".
The prime minister took a look for himself last week when he toured Bourke, Broken Hill and Longreach.
He was told of sheep and cattle graziers selling off all but their core breeding stock, lambs being taken by wild dogs competing for scarce water and food, workers having to be put off because they can't be paid and debts running into the millions.
Abbott says that because the drought is "akin to a natural disaster" and the only way to address it is hope and pray for rain, governments have a role to play.
Unlike a big business that can find ways to cut costs, farm owners are very limited in their options.
They have small workforces, an ethical obligation to keep their animals fed and watered and assets that no-one wants to buy.
It is no wonder Labor's offer of bipartisan support for the package came speedily.
All parties understand that while Australia may no longer ride entirely on the sheep's back, our rural sector is an important part of the nation's past and its future as a food and fibre hub for the world.
