❓ Mr Rundle questions the Premier on providing financial assistance to farmers struggling with drought, specifically regarding water, fodder, and freight costs, given reports of farmers culling livestock. The Premier responds by highlighting existing support programs and a commitment to providing further assistance as needed, while also emphasising mental health support.
AnsweredQoN 243Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AGRICULTURE — DRY SEASON TASKFORCE
243. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I have a supplementary
question. Given farmers are already being forced to shoot sheep, why will the
Premier not release some of the massive budget surplus to support
farmers in crisis requiring assistance with water, fodder and freight?
243. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Premier:
I have a supplementary
question. Given farmers are already being forced to shoot sheep, why will the
Premier not release some of the massive budget surplus to support
farmers in crisis requiring assistance with water, fodder and freight?
AnswerView source ↗
We will do what is required consistent with the advice that
we receive. We will make sure that we act in a way that is of assistance to
farmers. I will add that there is a range of assistance programs already
available, particularly the national
programs that have been rolled through successive dry seasons. They continue to
be available for farmers to access,
such as the drought loans of up to $2 million through the commonwealth Regional
Investment Corporation , the farm household allowance program, the
Australian Taxation Office's farm management deposit scheme and the WA
government's farm debt mediation scheme. There are services out there.
We want to make sure that we connect farmers
and the farming communities with that—but also make sure that we
understand the impact of these tough times on farmers' mental
health and their wellbeing, and ensure we have the supports to support them in
that process.
we receive. We will make sure that we act in a way that is of assistance to
farmers. I will add that there is a range of assistance programs already
available, particularly the national
programs that have been rolled through successive dry seasons. They continue to
be available for farmers to access,
such as the drought loans of up to $2 million through the commonwealth Regional
Investment Corporation , the farm household allowance program, the
Australian Taxation Office's farm management deposit scheme and the WA
government's farm debt mediation scheme. There are services out there.
We want to make sure that we connect farmers
and the farming communities with that—but also make sure that we
understand the impact of these tough times on farmers' mental
health and their wellbeing, and ensure we have the supports to support them in
that process.
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