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Australia suffers worst drought in decades as farmers get increased power to shoot kangaroos

Australia is in the grips of its worst drought in decades, leading to farmers being given authority to shoot kangaroos competing with livestock for sparse pasture.

The conditions in New South Wales state this year have been the driest and most widespread since 1965.

According to the state government, 100% of New South Wales’ land area of more than 309,000 square miles is now in drought.

Australia’s prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has unveiled a package of measures to assist farmers coping with the conditions.

They include lifting the number of kangaroos that farmers are allowed to shoot as they compete with livestock for sparse pasture during the intensely dry spell.