Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister travelled to the Beef Australia exposition in Rockhampton last Friday and announced another commitment to the Australian beef industry, this time in the form of some $100 million to improve road infrastructure critical to the beef industry supply chains in northern Australia. This announcement goes to the heart of the government's commitment to realising the potential of this vital industry, helping it to grow into the future. Transporting cattle can often make up a significant percentage of the market price of livestock, so it is imperative that we improve the productivity and resilience of the industry supply chains.

Additionally, we have announced some $70 million to enable primary producers to claim more favourable accelerated depreciation for water facilities, fodder assets and fencing. For farmers doing it tough, we have also provided the benefit of being able to access further concessional loans above the $270 million already lent out. An additional $250 million has already been made available for the next 12 months at 3.84 per cent and at 3.21 per cent.

We have also committed $20 million for social support and mental health support—as Mr Joyce highlights, this is in recognition that the people on the land are our most important asset and we must always look after them. On top of this is the further recent announcement of the $35 million stimulus package for the communities at the epicentre of the current drought—a further 25 million on top of the 8.5 million already allocated for pest control for pests such as wild dogs and pigs. These measures are part of the $333 million drought package announced by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Minister for Agriculture at Longreach on the weekend.