STATEMENT ON AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DROUGHT ASSISTANCE
The Support for Rural Specialists in Australia (SRSA) Program welcomes the Australian Government recent announcement to increase drought assistance to affected regions across Australia.
The funding package announced on 7 November, includes:
- Interest and repayment-free loans.
- $180m for councils.
- $200m for community projects.
- $138m for road building.
- 100 GL of water for fodder.
The drought assistance is in addition to $7.5bn the Australian Government has committed to date.
Drought can affect the productivity and profitability of farms. It is an ongoing challenge for businesses, communities, and regions. The stress of drought can affect the health and wellbeing of not only families of farmers, but also the wider community.
Those affected are encouraged to seek drought and rural support available through the Australian Government Department of Agriculture.
The SRSA Program supports the Australian Government Drought Response, Resilience and Preparedness Plan which focusses on: immediate action for those in drought, support for the wider communities affected by drought, and long-term resilience and preparedness.
The Support for Rural Specialists in Australia (SRSA) Program is an Australian Government Department of Health and Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) initiative aimed at providing educational support and opportunities to rural and remote medical specialists, through the provision of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) grants. This statement has been endorsed by the SRSA Steering Committee Chair, Mr Philip Truskett AM FRACS.