‘It’s what farmers have wanted’: Deputy PM defends new drought package
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has defended the government’s new $1 billion drought assistance package.
The government says farmers will be able to access up to $2 million in concessional loans, with a two-year interest-free period.
This morning Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie told Alan Jones drought-ravaged farmers in NSW and Queensland should use the money to send stock to Victoria and South Australia until the drought breaks.
But Alan slammed the plan, explaining just how expensive agistment would be.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has defended the package, telling Steve Price it’s what our farmers want.
“We don’t want farmers to get into any deeper debt than they already are. We don’t want those small businesses so reliant on agriculture, which at the moment is struggling, to be in the same boat.
“It’s what farmers have wanted, it’s what small businesses have told us that they need, and so we’re providing that option.”
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