BARNABY Joyce says the assistance package put together by the Federal Government will help farmers, but what they really need is rain.
The Member for New England and Minister for Agriculture said farming families and businesses would be able to access greater government assistance sooner as part of the $320 million package.
Announcing the package last week with Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Mr Joyce said the Federal Government would extend concessional loans to eligible drought affected farm businesses, provide funds for water infrastructure and pest eradication and inject funds for counselling support services for farmers.
“This new package will assist impacted farm businesses and farm families from Tamworth to Tenterfield and from Yetman to Walcha who have contacted my office in recent weeks to deal with immediate financial pressures and improve their capacity to recover when the rain finally comes,” Mr Joyce said.
“I’ve been travelling extensively throughout the electorate in recent weeks talking to New England constituents about what they need to keep them going until it rains again.
“Farming is a very significant part of our economy and will play a critical role in our economic future.
“We are introducing measures to offer financial, social and mental health support,” Mr Joyce said,
“This is a government determined to stand by the people of Australia in good times and bad.”
Mr Joyce said farm businesses and farm families across the electorate and the nation were suffering financially and emotionally as a result of the prolonged drought.
WHAT’S IN THE DROUGHT ASSISTANCE PACKAGE
– Criteria for income support to be relaxed from 3 March instead of 1 July.
– Drought concessional loans totalling $280 million for eligible farm businesses.
– $12 million towards emergency water infrastructure schemes.
– $10 million for pest management.
– $10.7 million to boost mental health support.
