Agriculture Minister David Littleproud

FACE-TO-FACE consultations seeking farmer views on the Farm Household Allowance payment process have started across Australia.

The FHA review panel has already visited Launceston in Tasmania, is in Casino in New South Wales today and tomorrow, and will continue with a South Australian session.

The face-to-face consultations are running alongside a public submission process.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the views and experiences of people who work on the land were vital.

“There’s no better way to find out if something works than to ask the people who use it.

“I want to know if the FHA is supporting farmers as well as possible and to see if there are ways to improve it,” he said.

“The panel will also head to Adelaide in South Australia, Canberra, Mildura in Victoria, Warwick in Queensland and Western Australia.

“We need the views of those who have applied or received the payment—along with stakeholders who have experience—to get a fully informed view.”

An issues paper with suggested questions and the Review’s Terms of Reference is available at https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/fha-review-2018.

People can provide their views by uploading a written submission through Have Your Say, c    ompleting a short survey on Have Your Say or providing a submission through email or post.

For further information, or to register to attend a session, contact [email protected].

Further information on the review and public consultations will be available at http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/assistance/farm-household-allowance/review

The panel wants to hear from farming families (both FHA recipients and those who have never received the payment), advisors and support networks such as accountants, agricultural advisers, agronomists, financial planners, Rural Financial Counsellors, stockists, succession planners, industry and the general public.

The panel will make recommendations to Government in the first half of 2019.

Dates and locations of public consultations are:

17 October 2018

Adelaide, South Australia

19 October 2018

Industry group consultation in Canberra

22-23 October 2018

Mildura region, Victoria

29 October 2018

Warwick, Queensland

6-7 November 2018

Western Australia, location TBC