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ABC News
ABC News
National
Exclusive by national rural reporter Kath Sullivan

Agriculture department in dire straits as 'festering' finance problem reaches a head

Andrew Metcalfe is the secretary of the department.  (ABC News: Nicholas Haggarty)

A federal government department responsible for protecting Australia's "way of life" is on the cusp of requiring a financial bailout, as it falls hundreds of millions of dollars into the red.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is cutting costs, has banned staff travel and training, and has begun sacking contractors.

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