Ensuring the federal government better understands the work undertaken by primary producers has resulted in more Queensland farmers being eligible for assistance following this year’s severe weather events.

Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, said the changes would herald welcome assistance, especially given they will be applied retrospectively.

“Until now producers whose income included activities like cane harvesting, for example, were mostly exempt from receiving assistance,” Mr Last said.  “Not only does that affect those people directly, but it also has flow on effects across industries.”

“Some farming operations simply are not of the size where the primary production income can support a family so taking on agricultural support services is a good fit that adds extra income.  The fact is, though, that all primary producers play a key role in the financial strength of our community and in our food security as a nation.”

“Following the severe weather events, farmers across the state were left without assistance due to off-farm income, including here in the Burdekin.  The Premier, Minister for Primary Industries and I, as the Minister responsible for QRIDA, heard the message loud and clear and we gave a commitment to do our best to fix the problem.”

“Because the funding is offered jointly by the state and federal governments, we needed to basically present a case to the federal government to change long-standing rules.  We had people tell us that we wouldn’t be able to secure support from the federal government, but I guess we proved them wrong.”

“For a long time, there was very little done to support Queensland’s primary production sector, let alone when it came to recovering from severe weather events.  The difference now is that the government wants to see our ag sector thrive and, as a result of that, we work with the sector towards a better future.”

“This is the second win we can celebrate with primary producers after we secured funding to allow farmers to replant which, also, had never happened before.  Naturally, I’d prefer the severe weather events didn’t happen in the first place but, if and when they do, we need to be able to respond in a way that supports all of our key industries, including agriculture.”

Mr Last said that securing more support for the agricultural sector had already been welcomed by key industry groups but that, for the wider community, there was more work to do.

“There are still areas of the electorate that, for some reason, have not been activated for federal government grants aimed at families and households,” he said.  “Work is continuing with an aim of ensuring that people in the district that need help are able to access it; just like families in other areas.”

“Frankly it is disappointing that we need to fight for access to programs that have been made available by the federal government in other areas.  The Crisafulli LNP government has proven that we will work cooperatively for the right outcomes but, at the end of the day, I’ll do whatever is needed to ensure Queenslanders aren’t left without the help they deserve.”