Page 2471 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
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(2) Why does the ACT have no mechanism to process loan applications related to the bushfires.
(3) From whom are the loan applications being made to or by the ACT Government.
(4) Why has the ACT placed a lower priority on the development of policy, systems and capability to support loan applications.
(5) Has the Chief Minister sought advice about the liability of the Australian Government for damages to Namadgi National Park, given it was a Defence helicopter that caused the fire; if so, can the Chief Minister provide a copy of the advice; if not, why not.
(6) How will repairs and regeneration of the park proceed in the event that financial support is not forthcoming
(7) How will those repairs be funded.
(8) What is the anticipated budget for such reparations.
Mr Barr: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Given the expected low number of applications for the scheme, and the need for dedicated systems and processes to assess risk and provide on-going management of these loans for the duration of their 10 year terms, the Government out-sourced this service to an experienced provider.
The Government has contracted the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority to provide expertise in the assessment and on-going management of these loans, given their long track record in delivering disaster related loans both in Queensland and on behalf of other jurisdictions including the Northern Territory and New South Wales.
The ACT Government has paid the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority $10,000 to establish this service. The ACT Government also pays the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority $5,000 per successful loan application to manage these loans for their full loan term.
As at 10 August 2020, the ACT has received three loan applications, all of which have been successful.
(2) Contracting the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority to carry out this function is a more cost-effective approach at this time given the number of applications involved.
(3) The concessional loans scheme is targeted at small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profit organisations that were adversely affected by the bushfires that occurred in the ACT and surrounding region in late 2019 and early 2020.
Following a request from the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, the ACT has extended the concessional loan scheme to 31 December 2020.
(4) The ACT has outsourced this service to an experienced loan provider to ensure a timely, high quality service is provided to loan applicants in a cost effective manner.
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