Farm Household Allowance review hears from central west farmers

In July this year,e Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud announced a review of the FHA, which provides help for farmers facing hardship, particularly during drought.

The consultation saw farmers contribute to the review face-to-face with the independent panel at Dubbo on November 15.

Wellington producer Evan Frankham attended the review to let the panel know the difficulties he has encountered with the FHA.

“I came to let the panel know the difficulties in applying for the FHA and how the outcomes of what the Government want to support farmers is hard to do with the current policy.. and the structure of the payment,” he said.

Mr Frankham said all farmers are struggling as a result of the drought, with no income and increased costs.

One of the biggest issues Mr Frankham had with the FHA was that it was based on Centrelink’s Newstart Allowance.

“It is based for those who are unemployed and looking for work, whereas farmers have such different circumstances, so its hard to make that right,” he said.

Mr Frankham said he believes the panel heard accurately and consistently because a lot of other people at the review had similar issues.

“Whether it can be translated into change of policy I’m not so certain…,” he said.

Mr Frankham said it was wonderful that the Government wants to help drought affected farmers.

“The intent is to help but I don’t know if they realise that it (the FHA) is doing what they want it to,” he said.

Tasmanian dairy farmer and panel chair Michele Lawrence said they were given a very clear message of the issues people are facing, which was consistent to what they’ve heard at other reviews.

Some of those issues included the complexity of the forms, the time it takes for an application to process, requests for more information from Centrelink.

After the FHA review is finished the panel will collate all of the information they’ve heard and will formulate a report which they will provide to the Minister in the first half of 2019.

“In a session like this you hear the worst there are also some good stories out there that we need to put together and decide what’s working and what isn’t working,” she said.

“It’s a program that’s supposed to provide enduring support for farmers in hardship, including drought, but not just drought, so it’s putting it all together and trying to come up with something.”

Tottenham producer Kathy Fragar said it was a good opportunity for people to share what they’re going through, including the processes, frustrations and the Rural Financial Councillor network, which she believes needs more staff.

“They’re run off their feet. They’re doing a great job but avenues like that people aren’t really aware of (it),” she said.

Ms Frager is currently on the FHA, but said it took eight months to get it.

While they weren’t ever rejected, their application was put on hold in that period as Centrelink said they needed more information from them.

Ms Frager thanked the panel for coming and for taking the opportunity to hear from farmers.

“We just want to be heard and mostly farmers just want to farm they don’t want to have to deal with bureaucracy,” she said.