Morrison offers lifelines to Qld graziers
Scott Morrison is urging the banks to go easy on Queensland graziers rebuilding their lives after devastating floods, as he offers small businesses struggling to recover grants of up to $50,000.
People in rural and remote areas of flood-affected north Queensland are also being given greater access to Commonwealth-backed concessional loans and mental health support.
The prime minister will be in Townsville on Friday to announce a range of measures aimed at helping farmers and local communities return to normality after the unprecedented floods.
Up to 500,000 are believed to have drowned in the widespread flood waters.
Earlier this month, Mr Morrison met with graziers at Cloncurry and Julia Creek in north-west Queensland, whose herds had been wiped out.
"To see them washed away, lying in the dry mud, it's just heartbreaking," he said on Friday.
"We will help them and north Queensland rebuild, farm by farm, station by station."
The prime minister is determined for farmers to call the shots and tell the government what they need.
"Each farm is different and will need different assistance to rebuild," he said.
"Whether it be through restocking grants, concessional loans or mental health support, we are stepping up to the plate and pitching in. That's what Australians expect us to do."
Mr Morrison stressed the measures were not about compensation but "rebuilding and reconstruction".
A new livestock industry recovery agency, to be led by former NT chief minister Shane Stone, will help provide farmers funding to restock their herds and fix on-farm infrastructure like fences.
The rules around the government-owned Regional Investment Corporation will also be changed, allowing it to offer drought-stricken farmers concessional loans.
Farmers will be able to refinance existing debt and access loans for restocking, using their stock as collateral.
The government has also written to each of the large lenders engaged with flood-affected farmers, urging them to exercise restraint.
It has asked banks not foreclose or force the sale of farms for three years, defer interest and principal repayments for three years where appropriate, and commit to lending for stock and herd replacement.
The government has also offered banks low-cost loans to pass on to eligible farmers.
Small businesses and not-for-profits will be provided grants of up to $50,000 to rebuild, repair and replace stock, plant and equipment.
More telehealth services will also be made available, providing care by video conference to people in flood-affected areas, with providers and patients given immediate access to health rebates for four months.
More than $100 million in immediate assistance has already been delivered to flood-affected communities in recent weeks, while the tax office has also taken steps to provide assistance to those impacted.
Australian Associated Press