PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA THURSDAY, 5 JUNE, 193
QUEENSLAND DROUGHT ASSISTANCE TO PRIMARY PRODUCERS
The Prime Minister today announced that, following consideration
of an approach from the Premier, the Commonwealth Government
has agreed to provide further drought assistance to Queensland.
The Prime Minister was speaking in Surfers Paradise at the
Annual Convention of the United Graziers' Association of
Queensland. The announcement incorporates extensions to the
Natural Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements. The following
will apply from today:-
The maximum concession applicable to road transport
concessions will be increased from 40 cents to 50 cents
per kilometre for a loaded cattle truck, and from 4 cents
to 5 cents per tonne per kilometre for fodder and water.
The freight concession on water cartage will be extended
to the carriage of water on properties to points beyond
the farm gate. This concession, however, will not apply
to transport of water between points within farms.
per cent concession will apply to the cost of transporting
essential machinery and equipment to affected properties
or to and from where fodder is available. This concession
will apply only to equipment which is an essential part
of drought mitigation practices.
In addition and because of the severity of this drought,
the rate of concession payable on all rail and road transport
movements of fodder, water and stock will be increased
from 50 per cent to 75 per cent. This additional concession
will apply for the duration of this drought only.
Following on the Government's recently announced extension
of the Natural Disaster Assistance arrangements to apply to
primary producers in New South !' ales, these further measures
will be of great value to the drought-affected ori. ary producers
of Queensland.
The State, of course, will be responsible for the administrative
arrangements associated with distributing these further assistance
measures. 000---