A newly established Drought Finance Taskforce will leverage resources and share insights on ways in which the Government and banks could further support farmers and small businesses in the Calare electorate. Federal Member for Calare, Andrew Gee said the taskforce will consider and respond to the impact of the drought on local small businesses as well as farmers.
“It’s not just the farm and farming families that are being hit hard by this devastating drought. Everyone is feeling the impact, including our local businesses. From the mechanics, to the grocery stores, to the local farm supply shop – there is a huge knock-on effect,” Mr Gee said.
“The taskforce is an additional way for government, business and industry to work together and ensure that they are not only receiving the most up-to-date information, but also able to respond quickly, so farmers and local small businesses can receive the additional support they need, as soon as possible.”
“Importantly, the taskforce will consider and respond to the impact of the drought on local small businesses as well as farmers, as we know many of our small businesses depend on farming activities.”
The taskforce will include the Treasurer who will serve as chair, the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources who will serve as deputy chair, other Coalition Government representatives, a senior representative from the National Farmers Federation (NFF) and a senior representative from ANZ, the Commonwealth Bank, the National Australia Bank, Rabobank and Westpac.