ASSISTANCE Package for Primary Producers

 Why

In line with the BPA’s core ethos;

“To create a social and economic environment in which the citizens of Australia are Occupied and are able to Prosper”

We believe that the Primary Producers of Australia fall into a special category whereas they can be adversely affected from environmental factors that are outside their control. This effect is likely to increase as the Global Climate continues to change.

However it is still critical to acknowledge that Primary Producers are running a business and it is not the responsibility of the Australian Public to subsidise one sector of the economic community to the detriment of other sectors, it could ultimately set a dangerous and unsustainable precedence.

Climate conditions cycle. Bad time are, but not always, followed by good times. If we are to render assistance in the bad times it is reasonable to expect that this is repaid in the good times.

Ultimately it will be the individual Primary Producer’s decision as to whether they take advantage of this assistance package.

What

The purpose of the package is to enable Primary Producers to keep their Live Stock alive or to give them the ability to replant crops.

This will be achieved by providing interest free LOANS to Primary Producers that cover the cost of;

1. Stock Feed

2. Stock Water

3. Potable Water

4. Pasture seeds

5. Related Services and Products (Fertilizers, Insecticides, Animal Supplements and Vaccines, Contract Harvesters, Crop Dusters, Shearers etc)

6. Fuel/Electricity

7. Any other Goods or Services that the Minister of Agriculture approves

When

These loans will only be available to Primary producers where their “farm” has been declared, within the boundaries of an area, adversely affected by a natural disaster such as Drought, Flood or Cyclone and only for the duration of the natural disaster.

Who

Only Primary Producers who own their land, or who are leasing their land from the Commonwealth, State or Local Government Authorities, providing the lease has a minimum term of 20 years to run.

The Minister of Agriculture will, in certain circumstances, be able to extend this criterion to incorporate other Primary Producers on a case by case basis providing that the intent of this assistance package is paramount in the Ministers decision.

Mechanics

This assistance package is an Interest Free Loan, and like any other loans the Primary Producer will be required to enter into an agreement with the Commonwealth.

Agreements will incorporate all corporate structures related to the Primary Producer and their land to ensure that Individuals, Trustees, Directors and Partners are personally responsible for the Total Amount of the Loan. Loans will be registered against all Stakeholders’ Tax File Numbers and any Tax refunds will be paid against the outstanding balance of the loan.

The Primary Producer will have 10 years to repay the Loan from the date that their “Farm” is declared to no longer be within a Natural Disaster Zone.

Primary Producers will be able to enter into an agreement at any time and DO NOT have to wait until their land is declared to be within a Natural Disaster Zone.

An “Authority Code” will be issued to the Primary Producer that they can use to claim payment for the approved supplied products. 

This Code is then attached to the suppliers invoice and the invoice is sent to the “Clearing House”. Once received, the Primary Producer will receive electronic advice requesting approval for Payment of the suppliers Invoice.

Once approved, the Supplier will be automatically paid by direct credit.

It is the sole discretion of the Primary producer as to what Goods and Services they purchase, keeping in mind that there are severe penalties for both the Supplier and Primary Producer for inappropriate purchases or misappropriation of funds.

Exclusions

This loan package is designed to enable the Primary Producer to continue to trade and make a living.

It is not the responsibility of the Australian Tax Payer to assist Primary Producers who have poorly managed their business.

Typically, anything that is of a personal nature is not to be included in this loan package.

Such as;

1. Interest on Loans

2. Rates and Taxes

3. Food for Human Consumption

4. School Fees

5. Entertainment

6. New or Replacement Capital Equipment

Penalties

Any Primary Producer or Supplier found guilty of misappropriating funds under this program will be subject to a fine of $10,000 per offence (Indexed), will be required to immediately repay the loan amount in full and for offences totaling over $100,000 (Indexed) shall serve a mandatory 2 years in Jail.

Price Gouging

Suppliers who are found guilty of price gouge, industry collusion or charging in excess of industry standards or market price shall be subject to the same penalties as above.