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David Littleproud criticises Labor diverting farmer hardship funds to address South Australia's algae bloom crisis

Nationals leader David Littleproud criticised Labor for redirecting RIC farmer hardship funds to South Australia's algae bloom response, warning it reduces drought support, with uncertainty remaining about future funding and no-interest farm loans.

By news@gippsland - 20th August 2025 - Back to News

Labor is pitting funding that is meant to be set aside for farmers going through hardship, to pay for South Australia's environmental algae bloom disaster. Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the Prime Minister's decision to use funding from the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) scheme to pay for a new stream, called the Significant Ecological Event program, is another way of reducing the financial pool available for farmers experiencing drought.

David Littleproud said government hasn't approved no-interest loans for drought or flood-hit farmers, despite widespread support and billions remaining in RIC funding

Protect farmers' funding

Mr Littleproud said, "The Nationals are not against funding to fix the algae bloom problem in South Australia - in fact, we support it - but Labor should not be taking funding from the RIC. The RIC is specifically for farmers including those experiencing drought hardship. It is not there as a source of funding for whenever Labor has a black hole of finances it needs to fill."

"There are no details on the Significant Ecological Event program, but despite that, the Prime Minister has said he will fund this program from the pool of funding within the RIC. This announcement inevitably will mean less support is available for farmers," Mr Littleproud said.

Funding delays hurt farmers

Mr Littleproud added the government still hasn't signed off on no-interest loans for drought or flood affected farmers, despite calls from The Nationals to do so, which is supported by farmers and industry organisations. There is $4.057 billion left in the RIC pool of funding, and of that, $3.62 billion has been settled in loans, plus there are new applications in the pipeline after a busy start to the year with new drought loans.

"RIC predicted another $300 million in loans this financial year, in March 2025, but drought conditions are still happening, so it is likely to end up being more. Labor also hasn't committed to funding beyond 1 July, 2026, for the RIC, or provided answers after the review."

"Our farmers should not be the ones who always miss out whenever there is an environmental disaster. Labor should fix the algae bloom, but not to the detriment of the agriculture industry," he said.

Pictures from Agriculture Victoria Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com