More than 4200 farmers are now receiving the Farm Household Allowance introduced as part of the Coalition Government’s drought package earlier this year.

Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, said the $320 million drought package containing tailored drought support programs, combined with the $420 million Farm Finance Concessional Loan Scheme, meant farmers have access to significant support as drought and dry conditions bite deeper.

“Back in February, when the Prime Minister and I announced this national package, there were no specific support measures in place to assist farmers experiencing drought.

“In fact, when we came to office, not only was there no targeted drought assistance in place, there were only eight Farm Finance Concessional Loans approved and only 367 farming families receiving income support on the basis of financial hardship.

“Under Labor, their income support programme was limited to 12 months and had an extremely restrictive assets test.

“When we came to government it was clear that our farmers would need a greater level of support and we have addressed this. This government moved to increase the net assets test and extend payments to a period of up to 36 months in total.

“Proof that this government’s policies are working can be seen in the considerable increase in people accessing income support, concessional loans and other support services,” Minister Joyce said.

“I am proud that the measures the Prime Minister and I announced 10 months ago are helping those that they were designed to help.”

The government’s assistance is reaching farming families and farm businesses in need with:

• Over $53.8 million worth of Drought Concessional Loans already approved (as at 31 October 2014);
• Over $152 million worth of Farm Finance Concessional Loans approved (as at 30 September 2014);
• 4210 farmers and their partners receiving Farm Household Allowance (as at 7 November);
• With an additional $3.5 million announced today, $14.2 million has now been committed for enhanced social support services across some of the hardest hit areas in New South Wales and Queensland. More than 700 people have accessed direct mental health support, over 8000 people have attended community events and almost 200 referrals to other services have been made;
• $22 million has been allocated for vital emergency water infrastructure with funds provided to New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia;
• $10 million allocated to improve pest management efforts across rural Australia, again with funds provided to New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

“This government is committed to making sure our farming families and farm businesses get the assistance they need so that agriculture can continue to make its important contribution to Australia now and into the future.

“Our farming families feed and clothe us – and many others around the world. We need to make sure that we help viable farm businesses through conditions that are now, in some parts of Australia, equivalent to a 1 in 100 year drought event.

“We also need to make sure we give those farming families that are struggling to make ends meet help to put food on the table. These farmers can’t just up and get a job in town because, despite little or no income, they are working day and night to keep their remaining stock alive.

“While Labor sits back and criticises, the Coalition is delivering a well designed and targeted drought package that is reaching farming families in need.

“I am fully aware that the drought conditions continue to deepen and therefore we continue to look at options to better assist those most in need into the future.

“I urge any farming family or farm business not to self assess their eligibility for any of the measures that are now available and to talk to an expert such as their local Rural Financial Counselling Service or Regional Drought Coordinator, or call the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 132 316 (Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm local time).

“Minister for Human Services Marise Payne and I have successfully reduced the number of forms required and we will continue to look for options to streamline the application process wherever possible. The online claim form is also able to pre-populate where a person’s information has previously been recorded.”

Source: Minister for Agriculture. For more information go to http://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-food/drought  

The following media statement on drought support was also released by the Federal Coalition this morning:

Continued social support for drought affected families

The Australian Government will extend social support and regional drought coordinator services to families living in drought-affected communities in Queensland and New South Wales for a further six months.

 Minister for Social Services, Kevin Andrews, Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, Minister for Human Services, Senator Marise Payne, and Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, said the government understands the hardship being faced by these hardworking Australian families.

“Our response to this need is to extend funding of more than $3.5 million to enable continued support for services delivered under the Community Mental Health and Families and Children Activities,” Mr Andrews said.

“We know that the prolonged drought has brought lasting and sustained hardship to some Australian communities.”

Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, said that addressing the social and mental health needs of drought-affected communities was a priority for the Coalition, and was just as critical as other support measures to assist farmers during this difficult time.

“I’m pleased that these mental health and social support programmes will be extended for a further six months beyond 31 December 2014. After all, people are our most important asset and we are committed to looking after those on the land who are doing it tough as a result of drought,” Minister Joyce said.

Minister Payne said that funding for regional drought coordinators would also be extended for another six months to provide essential referral and outreach services to help families access appropriate social support programmes.

“We know that significant barriers already exist for people in regional areas to access help when they need it most, and drought coordinators play a vital role in overcoming those barriers,” Minister Payne said.

Senator Fifield said the Department of Social Services will work with existing service providers to extend current agreements, where appropriate.

“Community Mental Health services provide support to individuals and families such as one-to-one counselling, or referral to other services,” Senator Fifield said.

“Importantly, these services also build on the strong relationships that exist among the communities affected by the drought by staging community events, for example.

“The Families and Children activity provides outreach support for families in their homes or workplaces, as well as telephone and online support and referral assistance so that families can access immediate family support.

“These are key local activities that will continue to be delivered to ensure these important ongoing social supports are available to these individuals and families.”