Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

When I was speaking to Col in Moree, he said that he thought that the new package of loans for small businesses in drought affected communities was exactly the type of product that would help him get through the drought and into the recovery. It would mean that he could keep his 20-plus employees on board and that he would be able to refinance any existing debt that he had and save tens of thousands of dollars in interest payments.

The reality is that, as soon as farmers have the crop in or are restocking, that is when the money will return to these communities. So small businesses are very, very appreciative. Why is that part of the drought support package? Because that's what we've all heard when we've been out talking to drought affected communities and farmers. This is exactly the type of response that our communities wanted. As I said, we've got the economic stimulus, we've radically simplified the farm household allowance and there's legislation before the Senate this week that will assist.