Stone forces Government to re-examine Farm Exit Grant Claims
October 6, 2011
Local farmers who were given the grant approval, but who were then caught in the Labor Government’s sudden withdrawal of the Exceptional Circumstances Farm Exit Grant Funding will now have their claims re-visited by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Federal Member for Murray, Dr Sharman Stone, said that after much pushing she has a commitment from the Secretary of the Department Mr Conall O’Connell stating the Government would contact all farmers whose cases had been passed to the Minister to re-examine their claims.
Sharman Stone has made use of the Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration Program (CDDA) to force the hand of the Labor Government to take some actions.
“I have been contacted by many farming families who had made the extremely difficult decision to leave farming and had pre-approval from the Department of Agriculture to go ahead with their farm sales.
These cases were in various stages of farm sales, awaiting property settlements, clearing sales and other actions all based on the advice of the Department when suddenly the Exit Grant Funding was pulled on August 10 this year,” Sharman Stone said.
Despite this grant being extended only weeks before, with a new closure date of June 2012, the Labor Government closed the books without warning.
“All of these farmers were then advised that their claims would not be met as the quota funds had already been allocated.
You can only imagine these farm families’ enormous distress after facing years of drought followed by floods and various other difficulties, finally deciding to sell on the basis that this funding was available,” Sharman Stone said.
“I would also urge anyone who has experienced difficulty with this funding to contact my office immediately on 03 5821 5371,” Sharman said.
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