IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE NOW FOR FARMING HOUSEHOLDS AND COMMUNITIES

Member for Barker Tony Pasin is urging eligible families to access vouchers and cash from the Morrison Government’s $30 million Drought Community Support Initiative.

The practical Community Support packages of up to $3000 per household, including up to $2000 in cash and $1000 in vouchers, are being distributed to people across drought-affected parts of Australia.

“A fundamental part of this support is that vouchers are to be redeemed at local businesses,” the Member for Barker said.

“This injection of money in rural and regional communities will help boost local businesses because we know it is not just farmers who are doing it tough during this crippling drought.

“Supporting farming households and communities to help keep people living and working on the land and in their towns is critical to the health and prosperity of the entire country.

“Regional Australia accounts for around two-thirds of our nation’s exports and employs hundreds of thousands of Australians. Our Government wants to support the regions through the good and the tough times.”

The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and Rotary Australia World Community Service are delivering this assistance on behalf of the Morrison Government.

To be eligible to receive this assistance, an individual from a household must be 18 years or older, a farmer, farm worker or farm supplier/contractor who lives or works in one of the 81 eligible Local Government Areas Australia wide and suffering financial hardship as a result of the drought.

Local Drought affected regions in Barker include the Local Government Areas of Mid-Murray Council, Karoonda East Murray, Loxton Waikerie and Southern Mallee.

The initiative is a stream under the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities’ Drought Communities Program, which supports the most drought-affected regions of Australia by funding eligible Local Government Areas for local infrastructure projects and other drought-relief activities.

The Morrison Government has committed almost $7 billion for drought support including more than $25 million to improve mental health services in drought-affected areas.

For more information about eligibility and accessing support visit:

The Salvation Army:

• 24 hour assistance line: 02 8757 8088

• salvos.org.au/drought

St Vincent de Paul:

• Assistance Line: 13 18 12

• www.vinnies.org.au

Rotary Australia World Community Service:

• rawcs.org.au

Government drought support:

• www.agriculture.gov.au/drought

Region-based mental health services:

• www.healthdirect.gov.au

For immediate mental health support, you can contact:

• Lifeline on 13 11 14

• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

• MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

• Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

Contact: Charlotte Edmunds  8531 2466