Parkes Phoenix Editor

Central West and Riverina students planning to start university this year are being encouraged to lodge their claim for Youth Allowance or Austudy now to beat the queue.

Youth Allowance provides financial assistance for eligible young people who pursue further study or an apprenticeship after leaving school and Austudy provides assistance to students and apprentices aged 25 or older.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said by applying now students could stress less. “They need to be able to focus on the classes ahead, not worry about their finances,” Mr McCormack said. “Thousands of students apply, and you don’t want to be waiting for your first payment when you are several lessons in.”

Minister for Government Services Stuart Robert encouraged students to apply to avoid the last-minute rush at the start of the new semester. “Eligibility for additional support will also be assessed. For example, students who move away from home to study may get the increased away from home rate of Youth Allowance.”

Students are among the first to benefit from the large-scale business transformation under way to modernise the delivery of government payments and services.

The Drought Resilience Funding Plan has been tabled in Parliament outlining how the proceeds of the Future Drought Fund should be spent. Minister for Drought, David Littleproud, said the plan directs drought funding to be used in ways that will build drought resilience and preparedness while enhancing farm production and profits. The funding plan aims to provide a more consistent approach to drought funding that is both straight forward and easy to understand.

“This will make sure the Future Drought Fund gets the best bang for buck,” Minister Littleproud said. “The plan sets out how we should strengthen long-term drought resilience in rural communities.”

Utilising information gathered from extensive talks and meetings with 690 members of the public, the plan was constructed with the advice of the independence Future Drought Fund Consultative Committee.

Chair of the Future Drought Fund Consultative Committee, Brent Finlay, said the Plan is a framework for considering appropriate drought resilience projects and activities, stating that, “During our six weeks on the road, the Committee heard from many farmers, regional natural resource managers, researchers, industry groups, banks and charities at many locations around the country.” Brent went on to explain that each region has its own stories, challenges and ideas about how this plan might be able to guide the development of certain programs to lift agricultural productivity while building drought resilience.

The Future Drought Fund began at $3.9 billion with earnings to be reinvested until the balance reaches $5 billion. It will provide $100 million every year from July 2020 for new investment in drought resilience and preparedness

The NSW Business Chamber’s December Business Conditions Survey confirms business confidence has taken a hit due to the combined impact of bushfires, drought and weak household demand.

“Business confidence is down right across the State,” said Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager Vicki Seccombe. “Our survey underscores the impact of broader economic challenges such as drought and weak consumer spending which were hurting businesses even before the bushfires.”

Vicki Seccombe went on to say that “the Far West and Orana results are very much in negative territory and the Central West is slightly better but still in the same negative territory.” She continued, “the results are particularly disappointing because the latter part of the year normally offers a welcome boost to business trade.”

The data shows that a large proportion of the most recent personal income tax cuts are not being spent. Dismal revenues are indicative of weak household spending and while the bulk of the labour market is yet to suffer to effects of the decrease in revenue, there are still a number of businesses reporting that they have had to shed staff, a number that is set to increase.

It is imperative that Forbes residents continue to support local businesses as they provide both economic growth and employment. Forbes itself has been a great example of resilience and generosity in supporting local businesses, and vice versa, with many businesses also giving back to the community.

With many grassroots initiatives being started in recent times like Buyfromthebush, Stayinthebush and #stuffthedrought movements, which encourage Australians everywhere to visit and spend in rural communities, it is comforting to know that we are not forgotten. Vicki Seccome stated that “we look forward to further initiatives to help economic recovery and business confidence in affected regions.”