David Littleproud (Maranoa, National Party, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources) Share this | Hansard source

I present a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill. I move the government amendment as circulated:

(1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (line 13), omit "1 November 2018", substitute "the day prescribed by the Minister’s rules".

The Farm Household Support Amendment (Temporary Measures) Bill 2018 amends the Farm Household Support Act 2014 to provide up to two lump sum payments and gives a temporary increase to the farm assets threshold to $5 million. This increase was originally planned to take effect from 1 November 2018. However, the government will bring the implementation forward to 1 September 2018.

I'll be introducing a minister's rule to allow people with net farm assets of up to $5 million to lodge an application with the Department of Human Services on or after 1 September 2018. This is a substantial increase from the current limit of $2.6 million. By 1 October the changes to support the implementation will be finalised. As long as all eligibility is met, payments will be backdated to the date of lodgement.

Increasing the net farm assets limit to $5 million enables more farmers to access farm household allowance, remembering that this isn't just income support; it's a complete package of assistance. Bringing the changes forward means that people in need can access the assistance at the time when they need it most and provides benefits not only to our farmers but also to the communities in which they live. I commend the amendment to the House.

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