The Federal Government will consult with the Opposition to finalise a support package for dairy farmers directly impacted by Murray Goulburn and Fonterra’s recent milk pricing cuts.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said Murray Goulburn and Fonterra’s decisions will have a significant impact not only on their suppliers, which represent over half of Australia’s 6,100 dairy farmers, but also on the confidence of dairy farmers supplying other processors.
“I have closely monitored developments following the Murray Goulburn and Fonterra decisions to reduce farm gate milk prices for the 2015-16 season and since that time have had a number of discussions with farmers, industry leaders, processors and retailers,” he said in a statement.
“Dairy farmers I’ve met have asked me to look at a range of options including concessional loans, additional rural financial counselling support and a fast-tracked Farm Household Allowance assessment process.
“Caretaker provisions prevent me from acting unilaterally and therefore I am unable to announce further support measures at this time. It is my intention to consult with the Opposition on the support package within days. I ask my Opposition counterpart to work quickly with me in a bipartisan way to finalise the support package.
“In the meantime, assistance programmes are already in place to support dairy farmers including the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) and the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)."
The Deputy Prime Minister also said the ACCC and the ASIC continue to review the matter.
