RENEWED calls for freight subsidies have come thick and fast as the North West continues to suffer through drought.
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With fundraising efforts such as Aussie Helpers, Rural Aid and Doing it for our Farmers ramping up, so have fresh calls for the NSW government to implement freight subsidies.
Goolhi farmer, Laura Jones, said freight subisides could make a big difference to many farmers.
“Unfortunately for us, any freight subsidies introduced now would be be too little to late,” Mrs Jones said.
“We spent the last of our money last week on pellets for our stock, so for us any freight subsidies would be no good.
“However, that’s not to say that they wouldn’t be very helpful to so many other farmers around the place.
“I don’t think anyone who could still use freight subsidies would say no.”
Mrs Jones said she hoped the government would show generosity towards struggling farmers.
“The generosity of everyday people is truly overwhelming,” she said.
“We have had donations and calls of support come from far and wide and from people of all ages.
“They understand what we are going through, and want to help, I only wish the government was as generous and quick to act.”
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Tamworth MP, Kevin Anderson, said the state government was doing it’s best to help drought stricken farmers.
“There is a suite of measures available through Drought Hub, and what we are imploring people to do that need assistance is to reach out,” Mr Anderson said.
“Under the word drought there is an octopus of needs if you like, one farm and what it needs is not like the other, is not like the other, so some will want modernisation to upgrade their properties and some will be looking for freight subsidies.
“So I am continually talking to the government to look at what we’ve got to do to help as many people as we can.
Mr Anderson said continuing the conversation about how best to help farmers was an important step he was taking to help.
“More than $500 million has been allocated for drought assistance across regional NSW in a suite of assistance measures,” he said.
“What we have to do is continue the conversation about how best to help, not only specific farmers across the region but farmers as a whole as well.
“So if there are any farmers out there, looking for a specific kind of assistance, regardless of what it is, I urge them to reach out to Local Land Services and find out how they can access some of the $500 million that is on offer to look after them.”
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
