Farmer hit by the drought can apply for $12,000 in assistance under Federal Government scheme
THOUSANDS of farmers in drought-stricken areas of South Australia who are yet to seek government help have been urged to sign up for a generous assistance package.
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THOUSANDS of farmers in drought-stricken areas of South Australia who are yet to seek government help have been urged to sign up for a generous assistance package.
About 690 SA farmers who already receive the Farm Household Allowance will also get up to $12,000 in additional payments, under a $576 million drought package unveiled by the Federal Government at the weekend.
An estimated 2700 more farmers in SA could also be eligible for the farm assistance package but haven’t applied.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the Government stood ready to help farmers as drought conditions worsened.
“You put the food on our tables, the fibre that goes on our backs and we have your back — we’re supporting you,’’ Mr Turnbull said.
The Farm Household Allowance Scheme already provides a payment equivalent to Newstart Allowance for up to four years for eligible households.
Due to the severity of the drought, eligible farming families will also receive lump sum payments of up to $6000 next month and in March next year.
Primary Producers SA executive chairman and former premier Rob Kerin urged farmers struggling as a result of drought to seek advice from the rural financial counselling service about whether they’re eligible for government help.
“They shouldn’t feel as if they’re a burden — they’ve paid plenty of taxes over the years,’’ Mr Kerin said.
State Agriculture Minister Tim Whetstone said much national media had been focused on drought in NSW and Queensland, but many SA farmers also were battling tough conditions.
“The Eyre Peninsula has been severely affected, and livestock farmers in particular are having to make tough decisions,’’ Mr Whetstone said.
The State Government has already introduced mandatory mediation before creditors can foreclose on farms and waived stamp duty on multi-peril crop insurance premiums.
The Federal Government made the decision to lift the asset cap for Farm Household Allowance eligibility from $2.6 million to $5 million.