Federal drought support continued
“Farmers battling the severe effects of drought in North-East Victoria will have their Exceptional Circumstances (EC) support extended from the current expiry date of March 2008 out to September 2008,” Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, said today.
Mrs Mirabella said that the Howard Government initiative, worth $340 million nationwide, would provide farmers with greater security as they continued to endure the impact of the worst drought on record. This announcement covers the entire electorate of Indi.
“The extension of EC assistance until September 2008 reflects the Howard Government’s commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers though this devastating drought,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“Just one part of the Howard Government’s EC assistance are the EC Relief Payments, which are currently being paid to 1,452 farms in the Northern and North-East Victorian regions. This measure alone has injected around $32.77 million into our local communities over recent years to provide assistance to struggling families.”
“This assistance will allow farmers to plan through to next year’s season, knowing that assistance will continue to the end of their next opportunity to plant crops.
“The Howard Government is also continuing to consider additional assistance to address the pressures being felt across rural and regional Australia.”
The Howard Government’s commitment to drought since 2001 now exceeds $2.8 billion with more than $26 million a week currently being provided to drought affected farmers and their families.
Small business operators employing up to 100 staff, and whose income is at least 70 dependent on supplying farm products or services to farmers within EC-declared areas, are also eligible for assistance, even if their businesses are located outside the EC area.
“I urge farmers and small business operators not to self-assess, but to contact the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16 to check their eligibility as soon as possible,” Mrs Mirabella said.
The Howard Government offers a range of other drought assistance measures including support for local farm workers under the Drought Force Programme, and financial, social and emotional counselling services.
For further information visit the DAFF website at www.daff.gov.au/droughtassist
Mrs Mirabella said that the Howard Government initiative, worth $340 million nationwide, would provide farmers with greater security as they continued to endure the impact of the worst drought on record. This announcement covers the entire electorate of Indi.
“The extension of EC assistance until September 2008 reflects the Howard Government’s commitment to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers though this devastating drought,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“Just one part of the Howard Government’s EC assistance are the EC Relief Payments, which are currently being paid to 1,452 farms in the Northern and North-East Victorian regions. This measure alone has injected around $32.77 million into our local communities over recent years to provide assistance to struggling families.”
“This assistance will allow farmers to plan through to next year’s season, knowing that assistance will continue to the end of their next opportunity to plant crops.
“The Howard Government is also continuing to consider additional assistance to address the pressures being felt across rural and regional Australia.”
The Howard Government’s commitment to drought since 2001 now exceeds $2.8 billion with more than $26 million a week currently being provided to drought affected farmers and their families.
Small business operators employing up to 100 staff, and whose income is at least 70 dependent on supplying farm products or services to farmers within EC-declared areas, are also eligible for assistance, even if their businesses are located outside the EC area.
“I urge farmers and small business operators not to self-assess, but to contact the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16 to check their eligibility as soon as possible,” Mrs Mirabella said.
The Howard Government offers a range of other drought assistance measures including support for local farm workers under the Drought Force Programme, and financial, social and emotional counselling services.
For further information visit the DAFF website at www.daff.gov.au/droughtassist
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