Drought relief criteria too strict, NSW Minister says

News Type: Event — Seeded on Mon Oct 16, 2006 6:34 PM EDT

Article Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

politics, australia, au-news, federal-government, agriculture, drought, state-government

The New South Wales Government says while it welcomes the Federal Government's drought relief package, too few farmers are eligible for the interest rate subsidies.

The Federal Government's $350 million drought package announced yesterday will provide another 18 months of income support and interest rates subsidies to dry land farmers and for the first time, irrigators and dairy farmers will be included.

But while the NSW Government says it is a good step forward, State Agriculture Minister Ian Macdonald says the Federal Government now needs to review its eligibility criteria for interest rate subsidies.

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{"commentId":333194,"authorDomain":"ozroan"}

ozroan

Nationals leader Andrew Stoner says drought assistance measures need to include agricultural related small business, as well as farmers, and funds for more mental health workers.

If ag-related small business in regional areas gets assistance ALL categories of business should be considered. The rural downturn is not just affecting the bloody farmers and local tractor dealerships! While I sympathise with them I do see poor examples of farming every day and sadly they are the most likely to actually get assistance.

There are complaints about the eligibility criteria, but this is how the nation will weed out the really poor farmers from those who planned appropriately (as in ANY business) and are now at the end of their tether.

And before anyone suggests I'm a city boffin with nothing but metro academics to turn to - I live and work in a rural area and have very close family and friendship ties to the land, and there are some really crap farmers out there, and some crying poor while they're holidaying on the Gold Coast (to get away from the stress the poor darlings - wish I could...) and could only buy a second-hand landcruiser this financial year.

{"commentId":333194,"threadId":"48253","contentId":"402779","authorDomain":"ozroan"}

1 vote

#1 - Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:51 AM EDT

{"commentId":333208,"authorDomain":"redwolf"}

Red Wolf

Spot on!

I'd like to see greater encouragement of innovation in sustainable farming practices in Australia. European practices aren't ideal for our environment, but people keep trying to force the land to bend to their will.

{"commentId":333208,"threadId":"48253","contentId":"402779","authorDomain":"redwolf"}

1 vote

#1.1 - Tue Oct 17, 2006 5:37 AM EDT

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RED WOLF

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Drought relief criteria too strict, NSW Minister says

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