15th January 2007Despite hopes of a waning El Nino weather pattern, the Federal Government says it is still “doing everything we can think of” in terms of ameliorating the effects of the prolonged drought. 
Industry Minister, Ian Macfarlane, says the Government’s Drought Bus, which has been touring rural areas in recent months, is making it easier for farmers to gain advice on how to access drought assistance.
Some rural communities have raised concerns about accessing the Government’s $2.3 billion package that has been aimed at struggling producers throughout the prolonged drought.
The Minister says changes to drought assistance, including the extension of Exceptional Circumstances payments, will benefit eligible small businesses linked to the farming sector.
“If you are a small business that gets more than 70pc of its income from rural enterprises, then you can also apply for the same sort of assistance like household support, plus interest subsidies and financial advice,” Mr Macfarlane said.
However, he also acknowledged a number of small business issues raised by Commerce Queensland, promising he would examine their concerns.
“Obviously, hay and harvest contractors have no real problem in terms of eligibility but some businesses that have been hard hit by the drought, and have either a sizeable asset in a town, or get a part of their income from hobby farmers and people buying general merchandise, are having trouble fitting into the criteria,” Mr Macfarlane said.
SOURCE: Extract from full story in Queensland Country Life, January 18 issue.
