Media Release
The federal leader of the Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer, has called for the federal government to provide urgent assistance to drought-stricken farmers.
Mr Palmer said many farmers were facing a dire situation of mounting debts and minimal income brought on by the historic drought affecting the eastern states of Australia.
“I call upon Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Treasurer Joe Hockey to provide immediate drought assistance to suffering Australians in Queensland and NSW,” Mr Palmer said.
“They need to take immediate action without delay to set up the necessary procedures to ensure that help is on its way.
“I call on Mr Abbott to convene within the next 24 hours an urgent cabinet meeting to address this natural disaster affecting all Australians.
“Actions not words are what we need today.”
Farmers in NSW and Queensland are calling on the federal government to help them through a period of massive debt, brought on by some very tough years.
Ideas that have been floated include interest rate subsidies which the government still has the mechanism to provide, or the establishment of a rural development bank.
ENDS