Gippsland › Latest news › Liberal Nationals

David Littleproud urges Labor to reinstate interest-free Regional Investment Corporation loans for flood and drought-affected farmers

Nationals Leader David Littleproud is urging Labor to reinstate interest-free RIC loans to support farmers hit by droughts and floods, warning current assistance falls short amid widespread devastation.

By news@gippsland - 2nd June 2025 - Back to News

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud is calling for Labor to bring back interest-free loans for farmers from the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC), impacted by Australia's drought and floods. Mr Littleproud said farmers across Australia have been simultaneously devastated by recent floods as well as drought.

David Littleproud urged Minister Julie Collins to reinstate $2 million RIC loans, saying current flood and drought support is insufficient

Reinstate drought loans

Mr Littleproud said, "In 2020 the Coalition introduced a two-year interest free period for loans up to $2 million for farmers experiencing hardship during the drought. The zero percent interest rate applied to new and existing drought loans and to refinance existing debt from a farmer's commercial bank, to give farmers some breathing space, saving them cashflow and giving them time to restock and replant."

"It stopped a lot of farms from going bankrupt. It is clear recent rain and drought events are really hurting farmers, which is why I am calling on Labor to revisit this RIC loan product once again," Mr Littleproud said.

Relief for farmers

Mr Littleproud has written to Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, requesting support for the thousands of farmers dealing with floods and drought. Mr Littleproud said current assistance doesn't go far enough and farmers would get much-needed reprieve by having access to a $2 million loan with an initial 2-year interest free period, then 3 years interest only, then 5 years principal and interest.

Mr Littleproud added one farmer he spoke to in Jundah last week has already lost $4 million worth of livestock, fences and machinery. "There have been many significant events across Australia including the floods in Western Queensland and the Mid-North coast of New South Wales, Cyclone Alfred and the drought across Southern Australia. Our farmers are feeling significant pain, and it is now time to make this loan product available for the farmers affected," Mr Littleproud said.

Pictures from David Littleproud MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com