Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank the members who have contributed to the debate for the Farm Household Support Amendment (Debt Waiver) Bill 2021. This bill addresses historic debts arising from the business income reconciliation process for farm household allowance recipients. The BIR setting was removed from the payment from 1 July 2020 in response to the independent farmer-led review of the farm household allowance. This bill will complement that decision by waiving repayment of debts arising from historic BIR cases. It will also ensure consistent and fair treatment for all FHA recipients in applying this waiver. This approach will give relief to farming families recovering from hardship, as a small but vital part of our better deal for Australian farmers. I commend the bill to the House.

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