LABOR’S DISINGENUOUS ON FARM CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM GRANTS

Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP says Labor’s On Farm Connectivity Program disingenuous.

Mr Pasin said Labor’s insincere application process for grants has created more frustration and heartache among the farming community. 

Mr Pasin’s comments come after Labor closed round two of the program, worth $18 million, less than a week after announcing applications were open.

Round one, worth $15 million, had previously been given a six-month timeframe.

“Something isn’t adding up and Labor needs to explain the process,” Mr Pasin said.

“This program is crucial for giving rebates to farmers, to aid with monitoring livestock, improving efficiency in water use and improving soil quality through smart farming.”

Mr Pasin said he had heard from many farmers in Barker who had missed out on these rebates.

“It’s baffling how $18 million worth of rebates can be exhausted in less than one week,” Mr Pasin said.

“It’s obviously proven to be a very popular program, but unless you knew ahead of time about round two opening, you would have had no chance of taking part.

“I’ve heard from a few suppliers in my electorate who have been frustrated by this process, which they said was time consuming and complicated. They were only notified of the opening of round two on the morning applications opened and then had to do a lot of work to help clients and customers apply.

“Suppliers have told me many growers missed out because it was too hard for them to apply, while others had spent all day filling out the application, only to discover by the time they completed it the website had shut down and the program had closed,” Mr Pasin said.

“This process needs to be reassessed to ensure it’s fair for everyone,” Mr Pasin said.