MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster says the government has listened to local farmers in moving to increase the farm household allowance (FHA).
The bill, introduced by Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud on behalf of Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie, was brought before parliament last week.
It amends the Farm Household Support Act 2014 and the Farm Household Support Minister’s Rule 2014, aiming to increase the number of farmers able to access the allowance.
“Minister for Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie, has listened to the concerns of our community and is extending farming families’ access to the FHA to four years in every 10,” Dr Webster said.
“Other changes will lift the amount families can earn off-farm to $100,000 a year in recognition of the reality that much of the income earned off-farm goes straight to servicing debt as well as allow farmers to count income from agistment against their losses.
“A one-off drought relief payment of up to $13,000 for a farming family, and up to $7500 for an individual, is designed to help people with decisions about whether they will be sustainable, should look at succession options or, in some instances choose to sell.
“The government has listened to our local farmers and realises that in a country of extremes, they may need to access FHA more than once in their lives.”
Dr Webster said the amendments would remove some of the stress placed on farmers in the ongoing dry period.
“We don’t want our local farmers to have to worry about how they’re going to pay the next bill, we want them to be able to focus on what they do best which is producing fantastic, clean, green product,” Dr Webster said.
“We’re delivering these improvements as soon as possible to make sure our farmers and their families can continue access much-needed support.
“Our government is continuing to listen to our farmers and our community to deliver support tailored to the needs of rural and regional Australia.”
The FHA overhaul was also welcomed by National Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson.
“We certainly appreciate Prime Minister (Scott) Morrison’s commitment to continuing to listen to and engage with, drought-affected farmers and communities,” Ms Simson said.
“The more than $7 billion in assistance the government has provided to date, across various support measures, is an unprecedented investment.”
“The government today (October 17) announced it would provide lump sum payments of $13,000 for couples and $7500 for singles, to farmers who have reached the four-year cap on FHA payments.
Ms Simson said the FHA program was a valuable part of a suite of assistance available right now to help farmers.
With summer drawing closer and no end to the drought in sight, Ms Simson said the NFF would continue to consult with the government on how to ease the burden on farmers.
“It really is a day-by-day proposition and there is no doubt, that if and when conditions worsen, farmers will require increased and different types of help,” Ms Simson said.
“Last week, the NFF provided the government its national drought policy, designed to change the way Australia manages drought into the future…we value the government’s willingness to consider our vision for a more strategic approach to drought.”
