- Coalition Government has invested over $1.3 million in additional funding for the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) in the North Queensland region to meet demand and support drought-affected farmers.
- This includes a new RFCS Farm Liaison Officer, Tahna Jackson, to connect farmers to assistance.
- Rural Financial Counsellors provide free assistance to farmers in financial hardship.
Farmers across northern Queensland feeling the strain of financial hardship or the impacts of drought will soon have better access to the free Rural Financial Counselling Service.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud today visited Charters Towers with the new Farm Liaison Officer, Tahna Jackson, to announce more than $1.3 million in additional funding for the Queensland Northern RFCS region.
"The RFCS is an essential service and there's high demand for it right now. This funding will help put more boots on the ground," Minister Littleproud said.
"The RFCS in Northern Queensland is currently assisting more than 110 clients, an increase of more than 20 per cent since last financial year.
"The new Queensland Farm Liaison Officer Tahna Jackson will connect farmers to drought and financial hardship measures, help assess the impact of measures and assist the RFCS to target communities most in need.
"The government has committed $750,000 over two years for the new role.
"The RFCS program is working—around 75 per cent of people who leave the program saying they have built new skills and gained valuable insights into the running of their business."
Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate for Kennedy Frank Beveridge welcomed the additional funding and farm liaison officer role to help the people of north Queensland during drought.
"I can't express how essential these counsellors are to our rural communities up North," Mr Beveridge said.
"I congratulate Tahna on her new role. She brings 10 years' experience assisting the grazing industry in northern Queensland to the role. Recently she was the Regional Manager (north) and Drought Project Manager for AgForce. "
LNP Senate candidate for Queensland Susan McDonald also welcomed the additional RFCS support especially useful to those applying for the Farm Household Allowance and other programs.
"Businesses and families need this support to navigate these assistance programs to make the best decisions for their future," Ms McDonald said.
