Man charged with drought assistance fraud

A man has been charged with attempting to defraud a drought assistance scheme of more than $16,000.

A 44-year-old man from Nobby, just south of Toowoomba in Queensland, has been charged with six fraud-related offences.

Police will allege that fraudulent claims for a water freight subsidy were submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries last year.

The $16,599 worth of subsidies allegedly claimed were not paid.

Police work with other government departments to ensure schemes designed to support farmers are not criminally exploited, Detective Inspector Troy Pukallus said.

The man is expected to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on March 25.