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Federal Drought Support Great News For Farmers

By Philip Davis - 17th November 2004 - Back to News

The Federal Government’s announcement that it will extend the Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declaration for Victorian farmers will go a long way to help relieve the pressure drought has put on our agriculture industries, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said today.

The Howard Government today announced that it would extend EC assistance for a further 12 months to farmers in the Goulburn, Loddon-Campaspe irrigation areas and the Eastern Mallee EC area.

"Today’s announcement is welcome relief for these Victorian farmers and is in stark contrast to the Bracks Government’s axing of drought assistance before a massive 92 per cent of farmers had received any assistance from it," Mr Davis said.

"The fact that the Federal Government received more than 32,000 applications for EC income support and more than 13,000 for business support shows Victorian farmers are still suffering the effects of the drought.

"Flow-on effects of drought spread much further than the farm gate and it is pleasing that the Federal Government recognises these effects on employment, business and communities.

"The city-centric Bracks Government often forgets how important Victoria’s agriculture industry is to the financial survival of the entire state, not to mention the food and fibre it produces."

Mr Davis said today’s announcement marked the third consecutive year that the Federal Government had made EC assistance available to Victoria’s struggling farmers.

"The fact that those in the Goulburn, Loddon-Campaspe irrigation areas and the Eastern Mallee will also be able to apply for income support payments and interest rate subsidies will come as a relief for farmers striving to keep others employed," he said.

"The Victorian Liberal Party fully supports the Federal Government’s commitment to get country Victoria back on its feet again."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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