The Federal Government says its push to retain members of the National Rural Advisory Council in their current roles is proof that it will continue to provide drought support to families on Exceptional Circumstances assistance, despite claims to the contrary.
In recent months the Federal Government has faced accusations that it is walking away from drought support programs.
But Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, said yesterday that the Rural Adjustment Amendment Bill 2009 had passed Parliament, clearing the way for the reappointment of members of the National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) for a third term.
NRAC is an independent expert body advising the minister on rural issues including Exceptional Circumstances applications and extensions to declarations.
Under the current system, NRAC members can only be appointed for a maximum of two terms.
Half of the existing members had already served two terms and were due to step down from their roles on 1 July 2009.
Mr Burke said if the legislation had not passed Parliament, the remaining NRAC members would have had to shoulder a greater burden and new members would have to be appointed unnecessarily.
Speaking on the Bill last night, Mr Burke emphasised the Government stood by its commitment that support would continue for families currently receiving EC assistance.
"The guarantee has been given many times by me and the Prime Minister…I give the guarantee to each of the farmers in your electorates who are currently on EC payments that, when we reach 1 July in a few weeks' time, they will continue to receive the payments," Mr Burke said.
Email a friend