Senator COLBECK (6:48 PM) —The Farm Household Support Amendment (Ancillary Benefits) Bill 2010 inserts a new part 9D into the Farm Household Support Act 1992 to treat farmers receiving income support under a pilot of drought policy reform in Western Australia as if they were receiving exceptional circumstances relief payments for welfare related purposes. In other words, this bill had to pass tonight; otherwise, the government’s new drought relief trial in Western Australia could not have occurred. There is concern that those circumstances may arise, so it is important that this bill be passed this evening. I have to say that it is really very disappointing that we had to wait until almost the twelfth hour to get this passed, as it did not pass the House of Representatives until late this afternoon, even though the announcement was made some time ago.

The opposition are pleased to support this piece of legislation, because it is looking at the future of drought relief in the country. It is important that we take this process forward and have a look at new ways of providing support to the rural sector. It is important to note that the trial will not affect farmers currently receiving income support payments and interest rate subsidies under the old EC system and the National Rural Advisory Council will continue to consider proposals for exceptional circumstances declarations submitted by state government and to reassess current declarations coming up for renewal.