Drought
Emma KEALY (Lowan) (10:31): Our farmers are on their knees – no rain, no food, no water, dwindling cash reserves and increasing debt to the banks – and the support they get from the city-centric government is next to nothing. In fact it is now a six-week wait for a rural financial counsellor for financial support and mental health support, and this is the only mental health support in many areas of the state. There are a lot of areas that are in drought at the moment across the state that are not even eligible for this. It is time for the Labor government to stand up for the people who grow our food and grow our fibre and inject so much into the economy when times are good. The first thing the government can do is to scrap the tax, but if not that, then let us see an expanded drought support package. Victoria pays more in interest to the big banks than it has put aside to support farmers during drought. It is a shameful reflection of the priorities of the Labor government, and I urge them to reconsider. The bushfire recovery support for businesses is absolutely appalling, with barely any businesses eligible. You are only eligible for $5000; this is treated as income, so therefore it is taxed at about 50 per cent, so they are only going to get two and a half grand out of it. For that you need to provide an audited statement of your finances for a period which includes Anzac Day, Easter and public holidays; for about $1800 it is not worth it. Labor must step up.