Eastern Victoria Region
Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (13:02): (1721) My question is to the Minister for Agriculture. Wayne Churchill, a farmer from Woolamai, applied for a farm drought support grant on 24 June, fulfilling all the obligations, including the declaration of his annual income. Seven weeks have passed and Mr Churchill is yet to receive any acknowledgement, correspondence or financial assistance. This delay has a direct impact on his farm operations. The grant is required in order for him to increase his dam capacity in winter, enabling him to restock for summer – exactly what these grants are supposed to be about. Due to the lack of communication and support, his water supply will now be insufficient unless there is above average rainfall. Given the urgency and the seasonal dependency on such infrastructure improvements, can the minister expedite his case and ensure that he gets this grant in a timely manner – this week?