A drought-stricken farmer in Australia criticised Prime Minister Tan Po, saying the $12000 bailout had little impact.
This morning, Prime Minister Tan Po announced that the federal government plans to provide farmers with an immediate financial assistance of one hundred and eighty nine million nine hundred and ninety nine thousand nine hundred and ninety nine yuan to help agricultural communities fight the worst drought since the last century and provide them with mental health services.
Gamble (Ashley Gamble) is a struggling cattle farmer from Toowoomba, Queensland. Because of the drought, the farm's milk production was halved, and he had to destroy more stocks.
"I don't want that to happen to anyone, just like you were in prison, which is so sad," he said.
Gamble's condition was so bad that his feed had been completely depleted.
"We call 200 to 300 people every day and we get the same answer. They don't have anything, or they're sold out, "he said."
Asked about the federal government plan to provide 12000 yuan in additional subsidies to eligible farmers, he said that was not enough.
"to be honest, it's not enough. 12000 yuan can't even buy a pile of grain." He said his father had been farming for 50 years and had never seen such a bad situation before.
"how do we continue? What do we do with our cattle? We don't have an answer to that, "he said."
Tan called on farmers to use the federal government's rural financial advisory service to confirm whether they are eligible for farm family allowances.
Meanwhile, the prime minister today announced an additional cash subsidy of 12000 yuan for drought-stricken farmers.
"Don't get immature advice from others," he told reporters in central New York. "and don't get advice from accountants who don't know what's going on."
"communicate with people who know the truth, they have the expertise to quickly tell you if they are qualified, and guide you through the process."
The government will provide an additional 5 million yuan for rural financial advisory services and provide more support to farmers, especially those who apply for subsidies for the first time.
With producers in large parts of eastern Australia at risk due to drought conditions, government estimates that 19000 people are eligible, but they have yet to apply for subsidies.
The application process has come under fire, with tedious forms and demands depriving some farmers of the opportunity to seek support.
Agricultural minister LittlePred (David Littleproud) said the application time had been shortened from 25 days to 18 days. "Financial services are the first place you should go," he said. "Don't go to your accountant."
Government said asset tests for subsidies had increased from 2.6 million yuan to 5 million yuan, which government said would qualify more than 8000 families.
In June, the government extended the ceiling on farm-family subsidies from three to four years. Government is developing further long-term measures to improve the capacity of rural communities to respond to drought.
"We just live every day and we don't know what the future will be," Mr. Gamble said.
The next phase of the government plan will be announced in the coming weeks.