The Prime Minister must use his visit to Tasmania this week to visit dairy farmers who are suffering due to milk price cuts.
He must also respond to calls for financial assistance for Tasmanian dairy farmers affected by the atrocious weather conditions and the subsequent lengthy power outages.
Senator for Tasmania and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry Richard Colbeck said it would be disgraceful if Mr Rudd visited Tasmania and steered clear of a dairy farm.
“On the 30th of September I wrote to the Prime Minister seeking immediate consideration of natural disaster funding for dairy farmers affected by the power outages,” Senator Colbeck said.
“Almost two weeks later, I still have had no response to my emergency letter – not even an acknowledgement from Mr Rudd’s office.
“While Mr Rudd may feel he doesn’t have the time to read or respond to my letter calling for dairy farmer assistance, surely he can find the time to visit a local dairy farm and announce some form of real financial assistance for affected farmers.”
Senator Colbeck said the cost of the power outages to some dairy farmers amounted to as much as $20,000.
“Many dairy farmers were without power for up to a week and were forced to hire generators to milk their herds, to operate milk storage vats and to power water pumps.
“Tasmanian dairy farmers are already copping major losses as a result of severe milk price cuts from milk processors. They simply don’t have the financial means to cop this additional cost to their farms.
“The Federal Government’s Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDDRA) should be used as a guide to provide affected dairy farmers with financial help to offset the costs of these power outages.”
NDRRA specifically caters for, among other things:
“purchase or hire/lease costs for equipment essential to the immediate resumption of farming following a natural disaster.”
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
