Joyce welcomes extra funding to support drought affected families

09 Mar 2015

 

FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the Coalition Government will provide $1.3 million in extra funding ensuring families living in drought affected areas in the New England Electorate can continue to access family relationship support.

 

Mr Joyce said the additional $1.3 million announced will help organisations such as Anglicare Northern Inland Diocese of Armidale and Centacare New England North West to continue to deliver these relationship support services across the communities of Glen Innes, Inverell Tenterfield, Armidale, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Uralla and Walcha as well as Gwydir, Narrabri and Moree Plains until June 2015.

 

“These funds will ensure families can continue receiving counselling and support to help them to cope with stress brought on by the drought,” he said.

 

Mr Joyce said families living in the New England Electorate continue to suffer from the effects of prolonged drought.

 

“This suffering affects individuals, couples and families, and entire communities,” he said.

 

“The Coalition Government is committed to standing behind our farming families and communities in helping them get through this tough period.

 

“That is why we are delivering more than $400 million in measures for affected families and communities affected by drought, including an extra $3.5 million for extra community mental health support in November.

 

“This is an important boost to the package that the Australian Government is delivering for farmers and families in the New England Electorate who are doing it tough.

 

“Importantly, the organisations travel to our farming communities affected by the drought, ensuring that counselling and support services are coming to those in need. Not vice versa.

 

“These organisations can offer relationship counselling and support services where it is most convenient for farmers and their families – be that in the family home, in the local community hall, or over the phone.

 

 “This funding demonstrates the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to helping our hard working Australians coping with the effects of drought,” Mr Joyce said.

 

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