As the drought tightens its grip on much of eastern Australia, I congratulate the banks for recognising this is an extremely difficult time for farming families.
The announcement by the National Australia Bank that it will allow farmers to offset their Farm Management Deposits against their loans will be welcomed by the farming community.
FMD’s enables producers to set aside pre-tax income in years of good cash flow but are able to draw on it in tougher years.
NAB’s decision that it will no longer charge penalty interest payments on farmers who fall into loan default is a responsible move, although I could never understand the logic behind excessive penalty rates which only make it harder for people to meet their commitments and survive.
I also note that some other banks are in their own ways reaching out to their agri-business clients.
I also commend the Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud who has been putting pressure on the banks to show they are serious about regaining the trust of people and not just pay lip service to this deepening crisis.
The Hon Michael McCormack MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Leader of The Nationals
Federal Member for Riverina
The Hon Dr John McVeigh MP
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government
Federal Member for Groom
Senator John Williams
Senator for New South Wales
The Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah regions will benefit from more than $1 million in Federal funding, with support for the Tweed Heads Civic, Cultural Centre Plaza and Social Enterprise Café and Murwillumbah Town Centre Revitalisation Project announced under the Building Better Regions Fund today.
Touring the region today, Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals’ Leader Michael McCormack said the projects are a significant investment in building a stronger economy and creating more jobs.
John McVeigh
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government
Senator John Williams
Senator for New South Wales
Two projects fundeFunding Builds Better Regions in Hunterd under Building Better Regions Fund – Infrastructure Projects Stream
The Coalition Government is investing $5.3 million in projects in Hunter
136 projects will be funded under the Infrastructure Projects stream, with the Coalition Government investing over $200 million
The redevelopment of the Lake Mac Outdoor Recreation Centre and the upgrade of facilities at Singleton Regional Livestock Market will be funded under the Building Better Regions Fund – Infrastructure Projects stream.
Senator for New South Wales John Williams has announced that $5 million will be provided towards the $18.5 million cost of the redevelopment of the Lake Mac Outdoor Recreation Centre at Balcolyn.
John McVeigh
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government
John Williams
Senator for New South Wales
Cessnock City Council will receive funding under the Building Better Regions Fund – Community Investment stream.
Senator for New South Wales John Williams said Cessnock City Council will receive $15,000 towards a $30,000 Business Capability Study and Council Capacity Building Toolkit.
Senator Williams said the project will involve a study of businesses to determine numbers within the region, their size and employment capacity, ICT take-up, export and import status and skills shortage.
Community organisations are invited to apply for grant funding to support the efforts of their volunteers.
The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams said the Australian government is providing individual grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to not-for-profit organisations and throughout the nation $20 million will be distributed.
Senator Williams said the grants can be used towards the cost of essential items that help make the work of volunteers easier, safer and more enjoyable.
He said funds can go towards equipment, training, transport and background screening.
John Williams
Senator for New South Wales
John Barilaro
State Member for Monaro
Faster and safer travel between Braidwood and Nowra is a step closer, with early work on the replacement of Charleyong Bridge about to get under way.
Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the project forms part of the NSW Government’s Bridges for the Bush program which was allocated $14.3 million in the 2017/18 budget.
Senator for New South Wales John Williams said the project has also received $5 million under the Australian Government’s Bridges Renewal Program.
“Charleyong Bridge is located on Main Road 92 which is a vital transport route for our region, connecting Braidwood and Nowra via Nerriga,” Mr Barilaro today said.
Mr Barilaro said the start of early work involves utility service relocations which will be carried out between Monday 21 to Friday 25 May between 7am and 5pm, weather permitting.