Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott has slammed the current application process for drought-stricken farmers trying to access help from Centrelink.
“The application process to access Centrelink support is too complex and many are giving up as a result,” Mr Scott said.
“Currently families must wade through a complex 60 to 70-page document to apply for the Farm Household Allowance, turning many away in what should be a straight-forward application to keep food on the table.
“Centrelink offers farm business support and the Farm Household Allowance but these are based on income and asset tests.
“Many farming households are in a dire cash-flow situation and some applications for assistance are being knocked back because of assets or a meagre off-farm income.
“Constituents are phoning my office despondent after Centrelink deemed a few thousand dollars – set aside to buy seed when conditions improve – cash that needs to be exhausted before being eligible for support.
“This means they will be unable to plant a crop next season.
“Even State Government water infrastructure grants are being considered income, making them ineligible for assistance.
“Remote constituents, who live hundreds of kilometres from the nearest Centrelink branch, are waiting hours for their phone call to be answered.
“Others have been told to lodge their application online, only to have their access time out before completion. Many have given up, overwhelmed and frustrated by the process.”
Mr Scott said he had invited Cabinet Minister Ian Macfarlane to visit the Maranoa electorate last week to see first-hand the reality of the severe drought.
“He was overwhelmed by the despair and gobsmacked by the stories he heard,” Mr Scott said.
“I am working with my colleagues and, during the next parliamentary sittings, I will work to change the current guidelines.
“Changes need to be made so farmers can feed their families during this extreme drought and I will take this strong message to Canberra.”
