Media Release
Minister announces Drought Bus to visit Tasmania
13 August 2007
The Minister for Human Services, Senator Chris Ellison, announced today that the Australian Government’s Drought Bus will visit Tasmania for the first time in early September, to provide information and support for the state’s drought-affected farming communities.
“The ongoing dry period has left many farmers in difficult financial circumstances, and we want to assure local communities the Australian Government is here to help,” Senator Ellison said.
“The Drought Bus will arrive in Tasmania on Tuesday, 4 September and will spend two weeks touring the state’s North East and Central Midlands, which were recently granted an interim Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declaration.
“In addition, a team of specialist Centrelink staff will travel to Flinders Island to provide services and support to local producers.
“The Drought Bus is staffed by Centrelink rural specialists who can provide farmers and farm-dependent small businesses with information and help them lodge their claims.”
Senator Ellison said the bus will stop at several towns during its tour of the state, including Bridport, Cressy, Ross, Oatlands, Bothwell, Hamilton, Campania and Avoca.
“The staff on board the Drought Bus can provide information about a range of Government payments and services,” Senator Ellison said.
“For example, farmers in these interim EC – or prima facie – areas can apply for up to six months of interim income support.
“In addition, agriculture-dependent small businesses that derive at least 70 per cent of their turnover from farms in these prima facie areas can also apply for up to six months of income assistance.”
Senator Ellison said the Drought Bus programme began last November, and has been very successful.
“The Drought Buses, and the rural specialists on board, have proven they can reach people in need, including those who may have previously been reluctant to come forward,” he said.
“Our three Drought Buses have travelled more than 60,000 kilometres so far. Staff on the buses have spoken to more than 10,000 people across five states, around 70 per cent of whom had never applied for any Australian Government assistance.
“Everyone’s circumstances are different, and farmers shouldn’t self assess their eligibility for drought assistance or other support payments and services. I encourage people in regional Tasmania to visit the Drought Bus when it comes to their area or call the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 2316.”
More information about the Drought Bus’s Tasmanian itinerary will be available on the Centrelink website in the coming days.
Media Contact: Michael Barrett – (02) 6277 7200 or 0419 424 359.