{"id":14953,"date":"2012-11-02T12:10:03","date_gmt":"2012-11-02T02:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=14953"},"modified":"2024-03-22T14:54:49","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T04:54:49","slug":"qraa-approves-285m-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2012\/11\/02\/qraa-approves-285m-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"QRAA Approves $285m Aid"},"content":{"rendered":"

November 2, 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority has approved more than $285 million in financial assistance to more than 28,000 primary producers, business owners and non-profit organisations across Queensland during the past 12 months.<\/p>\n

Agriculture Minister Mr John McVeigh today thanked the QRAA for helping Queensland recover from recent natural disasters.<\/p>\n

\u201cQRAA has responded to a large number of primary producers and small business operators seeking assistance through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements,\u201d Mr McVeigh said.<\/p>\n

As well, the QRAA approved more than $60 million in 2011-12 in First Start and Sustainability Loans to 194 primary producers, provided under the Queensland Government Primary Industry Productivity Enhancement Scheme.<\/p>\n

Mr McVeigh met with QRAA managers this week to review the authority\u2019s 2011-12 performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cI stressed that continuous improvement in service and corporate governance needed to remain a key focus as well as maximum delivery of benefits for least cost,\u201d the Minister said.<\/p>\n

QRAA Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr Tony O\u2019Dea said the organisation was well positioned to continue responding to government priorities and emerging business needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cQRAA will continue to play an important role in administering government assistance programs,\u201d Mr O\u2019Dea said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese programs will support the Newman Government\u2019s objectives of doubling food production by 2040 and making agriculture one of the four pillars of the State\u2019s economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Highlights of QRAA\u2019s performance outlined in the 2011-12 Annual Report include:<\/strong><\/p>\n