Another Nail in the Coffin of Murray Farmers
August 16, 2011
The $150 000 Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant Labor promised to ease stressed farmers through very difficult times has been cancelled, when Murray farmers most need it. A quiet little announcement made last Friday afternoon announcement by Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig, said the Grant – due to expire 30 June 2012 – has now in fact closed.
Federal Member for Murray Dr Sharman Stone said “The Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grant was made available to low-income and low-asset farmers who needed help to move on from their property and develop income options outside farming.”
“Following the 7 years of drought and then the floods Northern Victoria faced earlier this year, farmers were told they had time to attend to their stock and crops, complete their tax returns and then make the Grant application. They were told by Centrelink they had until mid-June 2012 to do this.
“However without warning, the grant has closed,” Sharman Stone said.
“Farming families looking to this exit grant to assist them through to a new life have had this chance ripped away.
“Apparently the grant was so popular it has been fully committed 9 months before its advertised cut-off date. Instead of adding a few more dollars as they would have if a new Detention Centre was needed, they have broken their word.”
“Just like the Carbon Tax, the early axing of this Grant assistance is further proof that the Gillard Government doesn’t care about hardworking rural Australian families.
“This was a very poorly executed funding program.” Sharman Stone said.
“Basic mathematics would have told the Gillard Government that from the $9.6 million available, the Grant would only assist 64 farmers nationwide. Clearly that was not nearly enough. Thanks to another badly implemented policy, there is no funding left to help the Murray farmers who really need it.” Sharman Stone said.
Media Contact: Jonathan Clark 0417 148 110
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