Page 4683 - Week 12 - Thursday, 1 November 2018
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He believes that potentially the drought may get worse. In the same article, the president of the ACT Rural Leaseholders’ Association, Mr Tom Allen, said:
… the grass on ACT farms was usually between three and four inches high at this time of the year, but in most paddocks it was less than half an inch off the ground.
Mr Allen told the Canberra Times:
… the five millimetres of rain recorded at Canberra Airport in the space of two-and-a-half hours early on Saturday afternoon was a good start, but more was needed.
It just settles the dust, really …
Mr Allen was also critical of the government’s current assistance package. He stated that “only about six people” would be eligible in the ACT. He said that if anyone’s got investments—that is, investments off their property like an investment property somewhere else—they are “buggered”. The article states:
Given the ACT subsidies were based on the NSW model, Mr Allen said the ACT government ought have no issue with changing the off-farm assets test.
It is worth noting that the ACT has implemented a $1 million off-farm asset cap whilst New South Wales has an asset cap of $5 million. That does not mean actual cash assets and taking into account mortgages. If you have an investment property or two in or around the ACT and a mortgage on those, as so many people do, that would exceed the $1 million asset cap. It does not take into consideration the liabilities that might be owing against the properties. That has been awfully restrictive on many farmers.
Madam Assistant Speaker, the connection between ACT Tourism and our primary producers is an important one. The ACT produces everything from wine to truffles, horses, eggs and apples. You name it, we produce it. Members may be impressed to learn that the ACT boasts the highest rate of horse ownership in the country. Many of those owners are earning income from equestrian pursuits.
Recently the Canberra wine show was held at Exhibition Park in Canberra. I acknowledge the success of one of our very own wineries, Mount Majura Vineyard, in the show. We also cannot overlook ventures such as the Capital Region Farmers Market and the Handmade Market as being integral in showcasing produce that our city and region have to offer. Capital Region Farmers Market and Southside Farmers Market are examples of the successful showcase of regional and local produce. These markets offer a unique opportunity to meet people who grow our food and give us urban dwellers an idea of what it takes to be a primary producer, not to mention spoiling us with some very high quality produce.
Another great success story is the Canberra Truffle Farm. It is a great success story not just in primary production terms, by producing quality truffle product, but also by
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