Securing the future of rural Australia
The Government is continuing the Rural Financial Counselling Service program which provides funding to non‑government organisations to deliver decision making support to farmers across Australia who are experiencing financial difficulty, including assistance with accessing government support.
This Budget builds on our existing commitment to agriculture which includes an estimated $251 million in matched funding to rural research and development corporations to support productivity and innovation in 2010‑11.
Agriculture is a vital component of Australia's economy. In 2009‑10, the gross value of total agricultural production was $48.4 billion and Australia's rural exports were worth $25.5 billion, representing 10 per cent of Australia's total exports.
This Government has provided more than $2.5 billion dollars to farmers and small businesses since 2007‑08 through the Exceptional Circumstances (EC) drought policy and will continue to provide financial, personal and business assistance for famers and agriculture dependent small businesses in EC declared areas.
This Budget continues to reform Australia's biosecurity system, providing funding for initial work on post‑entry quarantine arrangements and $425.4 million over three years for core biosecurity functions.
The Budget also includes $44.1 million to continue the pilot of drought support measures in an expanded region of Western Australia (WA) in partnership with the WA Government, subject to formal endorsement by both governments. The pilot is designed to support farming communities to manage risk and prepare for future challenges rather than waiting until they are in crisis to offer assistance.
Commonwealth matching funding to agricultural research & development corporations
