John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

The problem for people in rural and regional Australia is the assets test. Minister Carr is probably not aware that, if you have, in an area of rather reliable rainfall—whether it be the mid-north of South Australia or around Inverell, where I live—1,000 acres, a bit of machinery, a tractor and perhaps a header and you do a bit of contracting, that could be $2.286 million. Even if you are one of the very few fortunate farmers who are debt free, how do you send your children to tertiary education?