Farming families across Australia will receive immediate additional financial support to help them and their communities during drought.
The Coalition Government has announced two lump sum supplementary payments to the Farm Household Allowance. Farming families will now receive up to a total of $28,000 a year in assistance following a boost of up to $12,000 per annum to FHA for eligible households.
Thousands more farming families will be able to access the FHA as the Coalition increases the net asset threshold cap from $2.6 million to $5 million.
The announcements bring the total support provided by the Coalition to households and communities in drought to $576 million, with more to come.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the $190 million package of immediate relief, including support for mental health services, would be welcomed by the farming families doing it tough right across the country.
“We’re in this for the long haul and we will stand with our farmers every step of the way,” Mr Pasin said.
“I want to make sure farming families and communities get all the support they need to get through the tough times, recover and get back on their feet.
“While South Australia may not be experiencing the severe drought conditions of Queensland and NSW, there are parts of Barker that are in significant rainfall deficit and will do it tough over the next 12 months. This additional support is here for them when and if they need it.
Mr Pasin said it’s also important that Barker’s primary producers remember that the FHA is not only for those experiencing drought.
“Any primary producer who is doing it tough can apply. For example many in the Pork and Dairy industries are experiencing tough market conditions and could benefit from FHA,”
Mr Pasin said that raising the net assets cap for access to the FHA to $5 million will help farmers who have little cash flow.
“Owning expensive farm equipment doesn’t pay the bills,” Mr Pasin said. “That’s why we have lifted the net assets cap.”
Mr Pasin encouraged anyone who had previously applied for FHA and been knocked back due to assets to re-apply now that the cap had been lifted.
Additional measures include;