Farmers are tired of dependence on government handouts, but say that the government is not providing appropriate assistance for them to become self-reliant.
Tanya Cameron, farmer and national president of the Country Women’s Association says “we should be able to make enough money to look after ourselves”.
The government says 24,000 farmers are now eligible for a fortnightly payment of up to $600, meaning almost 30% of the country's farmers could potentially be on welfare.
However, fewer than 7,000 farmers are accessing the Farm Household Allowance, which Ms Cameron sees as “a fault in the system”.
Farmers want the allowance to be revisited to cater better to farmers and their needs.
Image: Ryan Shields
