12 March 2009
DAFF09/214B

Many of the nation's farmers will be among those who start receiving direct payments from today under the Rudd Government's Nation Building and Jobs Plan.

The plan includes a one-off $950 Farmers' Hardship Payment for farmers receiving Exceptional Circumstances income support.

The Farmers' Hardship Payment will benefit around 21,000 farmers and small business owners who receive drought relief payments.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said it would be welcomed by farmers already struggling with household bills and farm debt.

"Farmers are dealing with years of drought, rising input costs, fluctuating commodity prices and now a global recession," Mr Burke said.

"These payments will be relatively small compared to those significant ongoing costs for farmers, but the $950 will certainly be welcome.

"The hardship payments are just one part of the Rudd Government's investment in regional areas through the Nation Building and Jobs Plan.

"We are also building or upgrading infrastructure, reducing the maintenance backlog on country roads and regional highways and giving tax breaks to business."

In addition to the Farmers' Hardship Payment, recipients may also be eligible for other payments such as the Tax Bonus for Working Australians, Single Income Family Bonus, a Back-to-School Bonus or a Training and Learning Bonus.

Other measures to benefit regional Australia in the Nation Building and Jobs Plan include:

• Funding for the construction or refurbishment of a building in every rural and regional primary school;
• Further funding of up to $200,000 for maintenance and minor building works for all regional and rural schools;
• $390 million in new funding to reduce the maintenance backlog and improve safety on country roads and regional highways, install boom gates and other safety measures at around 200 rail crossings and fix around 350 dangerous 'black spots' across Australia;
• A tax break for small and general business of 30 cents in every dollar - an incentive for regional and rural businesses across Australia to invest in new plant and equipment; and
• An extra $500 million over two years to expand the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program - Strategic Projects - which can be used to build major community infrastructure such as town halls, libraries, community centres and sporting facilities.