Cooler
temperatures and welcomed rain enabled firefighters to bring bushfires across
the country under control this week and while fire-fighting efforts continue,
the focus has also now turned to recovery and support for farmers and others
impacted to get back on their feet.
The National Farmers’ Federation and its members continued to consult closely with Government on how best to direct investment from the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund to agriculture.
In Canberra this week the Prime Minister hosted a series of bushfire roundtables. The National Farmers’ Federation attended the small business roundtable, agriculture, and peak industry roundtables.
These forums allowed representatives of those most-affected to explain what’s needed in the immediate, medium and long term.
The journey of recovery will take time, but this week the Government announced a number of important immediate support measures.
Federal
Government announces grants of up to 75k for fire affected farmers
On
Tuesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced grants of up to $75,000 for
fire affected farmers.
The money will be distributed by state governments and will closely follow the funding that was distributed to people affected by the Queensland floods at the start of 2019.
Farmer in receipt of the bushfire relief grants will remain eligible to apply for drought assistance measures such as the Farm Household Allowance.
Funding will be available through the state-based Emergence Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants Program.
