Bundarra Exceptional Circumstances assistance

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Bundarra Exceptional Circumstances Assistance (Proof)

About this Item
Speakers - Torbay Mr Richard; Stewart Mr Tony
Business - Private Members Statements, PRIV


BUNDARRA EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES ASSISTANCE
Page: 38

Mr RICHARD TORBAY (Northern Tablelands—Speaker) [1.24 p.m.]: The exceptional circumstances declaration process in relation to Bundarra has been the subject of discussion and debate in the Chamber this week. Since Bundarra was excluded from the exceptional circumstances declaration process in March last year, despite the efforts of the then Minister Ian Macdonald to have it remain in the process, the process has been nothing but a farce. The exceptional circumstances declaration processes have frustrated the community in every possible way. I have called it the impenetrable fortress around funding that country people—farming communities—desperately need. The State made application to the Commonwealth for exceptional circumstances funding, but it was unsuccessful. I understand that the applications cost approximately $50,000, but the selection criteria makes it almost impossible to get a positive result, as we are seeing with Bundarra.

Mr Peter Draper: And Barrabra.

Mr RICHARD TORBAY: As the member for Tamworth rightly points out, this also affects constituents in some parts of Barrabra. The National Rural Advisory Council's decision last week to reject the most recent application is a prime example of how the bureaucratic minutiae of the process continues to frustrate. Many farmers are out of water for stock—and almost out of water for their families—and are finding it very difficult to survive financially. Only this week I approached Minister Steve Whan after the Commonwealth rejected the application. I thank him for immediately contacting the Federal Minister Tony Burke and indicating that he would be prepared to make a new application on a new boundary to meet the criteria for active consideration by Minister Burke. Today Federal member Tony Windsor advised me that the Hon. Tony Burke has agreed to consider the application. We are doing all we can. I thank the Premier and Minister Steve Whan for visiting Bundarra and seeing firsthand the desperate circumstances that the drought has delivered—

Mr Peter Draper: And the fires.

Mr RICHARD TORBAY: As well as fires, which has been the subject of a separate application and declaration. The Premier and others have said that if Bundarra does not qualify for exceptional circumstance funding, then nobody does. I agree wholeheartedly with those comments. Therefore something is wrong with the criteria. If we do not change the criteria under which these assessments are made at a Federal level and make them more flexible, farmers will continue to miss out when they are in desperate need. Surely the exceptional circumstance fund at the Commonwealth level was set up to support the very people who are being shut out because of the bureaucratic processes involved. Quite frankly, it is outrageous and very frustrating. I ask Minister Whan and the Premier for their support in convincing the Federal Government to change the criteria and make them flexible.

This issue has been used to score political points. Federal National Party members, including a Federal senator in our area, have criticised the State and Federal governments about the assessment criteria. Let us remember that these rules have been in place for many years and previous attempts to change the Federal criteria were rejected by the Coalition Government, which was in power for 11 years. This process requires change. It has required change for many years under both Labor and Coalition Federal governments. I urge them to put the issues of the community forward and make changes that will assist them rather than play point-scoring politics, which is greatly concerning the community.

Mr TONY STEWART (Bankstown—Parliamentary Secretary) [1.28 p.m.]: I thank the ever-tenacious and vigilant member for Northern Tablelands for raising this important issue that confronts us all. It is easy, from a city point of view, not to fully understand the disappointment and frustration of rural communities during periods of drought and fire. The system of exceptional circumstance applications was set up to alleviate the sorts of concerns and frustrations that these people have unfortunately had to endure, and it is of real concern that it is simply not working. I know through my own constituents in Bankstown who have had contact with rural areas that a major concern about these applications has to be dealt with. In that context I am pleased that the member for Northern Tablelands has had recent contact with Minister Steve Whan and that the Premier has demonstrated her immediate concern about the issues. I am confident that, with the tenacity of the member for Northern Tablelands and with the support of colleagues, this important issue will be communicated to the Federal Government and that changes will be made to the system of applying for exceptional circumstances so that it is user friendly and delivers where it should deliver.