McVeigh Needs To Provide Further Agricultural Recovery Assistance

Media Release.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mulherin says Agriculture Minister John McVeigh needs to immediately reinstate Farm Financial Counsellors who were sacked by the LNP Government as well as appoint Industry Recovery Officers to assist in flood recovery operations.
Mr Mulherin said Mr McVeigh scrapped the Agriculture Department’s Farm Financial Counsellors from 13 locations throughout Queensland last year despite their history of assisting the rural sector in times of disaster and crisis.
“Mr McVeigh needs to admit he got it wrong and reinstate the Farm Financial Counsellors immediately,” Mr Mulherin said.

“After the summer of natural disasters Farm Financial Counsellors provided direct and much needed help to primary producers and small business operators whose farms and businesses were affected.

“Farm financial counsellors use business analysis to help businesses understand their financial position and develop options, strategies and plans for improvement. In more serious cases, they assist growers to negotiate arrangements with their financial institutions.

“Farm Financial Counsellors are an essential part of flood recovery in regional areas and the cutting of this service is another indication that this LNP Government completely disregards regional and rural Queensland,” he said.

Mr Mulherin said Mr McVeigh and Small Business Minister Jann Stuckey also needed to appoint Industry Recovery Officers (IROs) to help primary producers and small businesses in flood affected areas.

“Mr McVeigh needs to deploy IROs in the areas affected by the most severe flooding including, Bundaberg, North Burnett, Fitzroy, Lockyer Valley and the Boyne region,” he said.

“In the previous summer of natural disasters the Labor government appointed 24 IROs to assist with the prioritisation and coordination of the clean-up,” he said.

“IROs also assist primary producers with application processes, referrals to QRAA referrals to financial and emotional counselling services, and identification and referral to other technical-based assistance.

“They also provide business advice and work in conjunction with project coordinators to provide feedback and identify areas of improvement to enhance future resilience.”