Rural Debt and Drought Taskforce team meets in Gympie and Bundaberg

The Palaszczuk Government’s Rural Debt and Drought Taskforce will hold a public hearing in Gympie this morning before heading to Bundaberg in the afternoon.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the meeting would give regional Queenslanders a chance to tell the Government firsthand about the impact of the state’s drought and their debt levels.

“We established the taskforce in October to help identify and recommend solutions to address the debt issues faced by Queensland’s primary producers,” Mr Pitt said.

“The agricultural sector makes a substantial contribution to our economy, so it's important we hear firsthand about the difficulties faced by drought-affected farmers.

“The Taskforce will recommend solutions for the Government to consider which will complement the Government’s existing $52.1 million drought package announced in the State Budget in July.

“Together with $154 million in financial assistance from the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority in the last financial year, initiatives such as this provide some relief to farming families.

"The Rural Debt Taskforce will play an important role in informing the ongoing support and assistance Government can offer to drought-affected farmers."
The Taskforce is chaired by the Member for Mount Isa, Rob Katter and includes both a Government and Opposition MP, mayors, representatives from the agricultural sector and economists.

Information on the Taskforce is available at www.daf.qld.gov.au/ruraldebttaskforce/about-us/taskforce-members

Gympie’s meeting at the Civic Centre starts at 8.30am on Thursday, followed that afternoon by a 2.30pm hearing in Bundaberg’s Civic Theatre.

A closed session will follow each public forum, where people can talk about their submissions or other matters in private with members of the Taskforce. 

To request a private discussion contact the Secretariat on 07 3224 6415 or via email: ruraldebtsecretariat@daf.qld.gov.au

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