Hon Ken Travers questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the removal of $10 million from the federal farm finance assistance package for WA farmers. The Minister outlines actions taken to protest the decision and provides a timeline for financial assistance.

AnsweredQoN 893Legislative Council
Asked
28 November 2013
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

FEDERAL FARM FINANCE ASSISTANCE
893. Hon KEN TRAVERS to the
Minister for Agriculture and Food:
My question without notice, of which some notice has been
given, is to the Minister for Agriculture and Food. I think the parliamentary
secretary has answered enough questions this afternoon!
(1) What
action has the Western Australian government taken to protest the removal of
$10 million from the assistance package for WA farmers?
(2) Does the
minister believe there is potential for this money to be reinstated by the
federal government?
(3) When will
wheatbelt farmers receive financial assistance through the federal farm finance
package?
(4) Are Western
Australian government agencies ready to deliver the concessional loans
immediately an agreement is reached with the commonwealth?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) I spoke to
Minister Joyce on 6 November 2013 prior to his media announcement and voiced my
concerns about the decision. A formal letter was written to Minister Joyce on
13 November 2013 to articulate concerns over areas in the eastern wheatbelt,
and for Minister Joyce to consider increasing the Western Australia funding
allocation in 2014–15 to $35 million, returning Western Australia back
to the original total allocation of $60 million. I also publicly stated that I
am disappointed with the decision.
(2) I have
asked Minister Joyce to consider that proposal should the eastern wheatbelt
have another disappointing season in 2014.
(3) The state
and federal governments are working towards establishing a scheme for all
primary producers in Western Australia in the coming weeks, with applications
expected to open in January 2014.
(4) The
Western Australian government will be ready, with applications expected to open
in January 2014.

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