Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Treasurer. The Treasurer would be aware that much of rural Australia is struggling under an insurmountable debt burden. Reliable sources continue to quote that between seven and 20 per cent of farmers are facing foreclosures within two years. With forced sales widening the yawning loan-to-value ratios, fire sales must start, sparking a raging financial bushfire that cannot be quarantined, from the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers and Cairns, and an economy already undermined by falling metal prices. In view of his comments in the Financial Review, and I thank him for them, would the Treasurer agree to meet with responsible agriculturalists, businesses and bankers to consider prudential ways— (Time expired)

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