Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP
Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm
The Albanese Labor Government continues to stand with farmers and primary producers impacted by the North Queensland Monsoon Trough and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
Flooding from these weather events has caused significant disruption to agricultural businesses in Northern and Central Queensland, including the loss of livestock and pasture, along with damage to essential farm equipment and supply routes.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP is in Queensland this week to inspect the ongoing recovery efforts of the state's agriculture industry, and to reaffirm the immediate assistance available.
As part of the visit, Minister Collins will hold a roundtable in Clermont with Isaac Regional Council, local property owners, grain producers, and local livestock and transport agencies to discuss this region's transition from immediate clean-up to longer-term and recovery.
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments have announced a range of support measures to assist impacted farmers and primary producers under joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), including:
- $21.5 million towards Disaster Recovery Grants of up to $75,000
- $11.3 million towards a Primary Producer Support Package - including support for feral pest and locust management
- $7 million towards an emergency fodder support package
- Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 to help with longer-term recovery and rebuilding
- Freight subsidies for eligible primary producers
These support measures, which are in addition to Personal Hardship Assistance available to eligible residents, are critical to helping farmers and primary producers feed livestock, restore or replace damaged assets, and supporting cashflow while farms get back to full production.
Farmers can get more information on disaster loans via Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority and freight subsidies at Department of Primary Industries - Queensland Government.
Support is also available through the Rural Financial Counselling Service for people who need help navigating eligibility criteria and applications.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:
"Flooding like we've seen in North and Central Queensland has a terrible impact on farmers and primary producers, who are not only critical to regional economies, but to our food security.
"That's why we've activated immediate assistance alongside the Queensland Government to help our farmers and primary producers sustain livestock, replace damaged equipment, and to support their longer-term recovery.
"North and Central Queensland, including in the Isaac Region, is home to some of the world's most in-demand beef products, which is why it's critical to support impacted farmers and producers to get back on their feet.
"Meeting with farmers, primary producers, and agricultural businesses in the Isaac Region was an important opportunity to see the clean-up efforts firsthand, and to reaffirm our Government's commitment to supporting them at every stage of recovery."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm:
As Queensland farmers and primary producers continue their flood recovery efforts, we want them to know the Albanese Government has their back.
"The farming and mining communities of North and Central Queensland provide so much for our state and country, so it's only right we deliver support wherever we can.
"These support packages could mean repairs to a fence, more feed for livestock, funds for pest management or support to help farmers with cashflow as they get back to full production."
Quotes attributable to Isaac Regional Council Mayor, Kelly Vea Vea:
"We received great support locally post the weather events.
"We appreciate the Minister making the time to be in region to hear first hand from our community.
"It's important to hear directly how policies and legislation set in Canberra is working for people in their own backyard."
