Banks extend help to businesses, farmers affected by mouse plague

Banks have offered to assist farmers and businesses affected by the alarming mouse plague and urge anyone in need of help to get in touch.

Financial assistance is being offered to farmers and businesses affected by the mouse plague sweeping parts of Australia.

Australian Banking Association chief executive Anna Bligh urged banking customers to contact their institutions for help, including deferring principal payments on business loans and credit cards.

“Whether it be a drought, flood, COVID-19 or a mouse plague, Australian banks are committed to assisting customers in need,” Ms Bligh said.

Some ingenuity was used to catch these mice, with jelly beans being used as bait. Picture: Facebook

The plague has seen schools, homes and hospitals overrun, farmers lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in crops and entire towns suffocated by the pungent smell left by the rodents.

The infestation may not yet have peaked — with CSIRO warning it could last two years. And it’s not just NSW communities that are being hit.

A screen grab taken from iPhone footage of the Mice plague at a family farm outside of Warren in regional NSW. Picture: Supplied by Ben Storer

“I’m urging anyone who has been affected by the mouse plague to get in touch with their bank and find out about the assistance on offer.”

Ms Bligh said no one should fear that help was not available from the banking sector.

“No one needs to suffer in silence and we all know natural disasters and plagues can bring unwanted stress into people’s lives, so customers should make the most of this opportunity and speak to their bank to find out what’s on offer,” she said.

Australian Banking Association chief Anna Bligh says help is available for those hit by the mouse plague. Picture: Supplied

Assistance measures include:

* Deferring principal payments on business loans and/or leasing payments

* Offering a reduction on home loan and personal loan repayments

* Credit card and personal loan relief

* Waiving application fees for restructuring business facilities

* Mental health support via specialist programs

Customers are encouraged to contact their bank directly to discuss hardship arrangements available to them.