Press Release

Western Australia’s leading lobby group, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association, supports the WA State Government’s $7.8million package to assist drought affected farmers in the Eastern Wheat Belt, saying the measures will support those farmers who are still viable to continue with their cropping program while assisting those who are no longer viable with an easier transition off of the land.

“The State Government’s package provides much needed short term assistance for those farming businesses finding it difficult to secure enough finance to put in a crop this year, whilst not disadvantaging the majority of farmers who are still operating viable businesses,” PGA Vice President Tony Seabrook said.

“Contrary to many of the statements made in the media over the past few weeks there are many farmers in the middle of drought affected areas who have implemented farm management strategies that have allowed them to secured bank finance despite the unprecedented seasonal conditions.”

“Farming is a business and it is not the place of the Government to become a last resort lender after the banks have walked away,’ he said.  “But it is their role to assist in a period of transition.”

“Government grants and concessional loans only delay the inevitable.  What is needed is for our political leaders to address costs that they have imposed on our production systems.  I refer initially to payroll tax, stamp duty, rates and the massive cost of compliance.”