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DAFF07/136PM - 9 September 2007

$110 million Equine Influenza Assistance

The Australian Government has announced further assistance for people and businesses facing additional costs and significant financial hardship, as a direct result of the Equine Influenza quarantine measures currently in place.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Peter McGauran has announced the $110 million funding package, which includes:

• Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment: Workers involved in commercial horse dependent industries who have lost their job or most of their income, and sole-traders whose incomes have effectively ceased (transport operators, riding coaches, farriers etc), will receive the equivalent of Newstart Allowance. Applicants will be subject to income testing, but no assets or activity tests. The estimated cost of these payments is $20 million; • Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant: $5000 will be available for

businesses which derive the majority of their income from the commercial horse industry, and have experienced a significant downturn in income. The estimated cost of these grants is $45 million; • Commercial Horse Assistance Payment: Payments will be made to eligible primary carers whose racing, harness or professional equestrian competition horses have been unable to undertake their normal activities, and could otherwise have generated an income, if not for the quarantine restrictions in place. The estimate cost for these payments is $44 million; and • Grants for non-government, not-for-profit equestrian organisations: Up to $200,000 will be available to equestrian organisations who have, in addition to the provision of voluntary services by their members or affiliates, incurred expenses directly related to the outbreak of Equine Influenza, and the resulting quarantine restrictions. $1 million has been allocated for these grants.

“The assistance announced today will ease the immediate financial burden that workers, horse-dependent business owners and equestrian organisations are suffering as a result of the standstill measures still in place in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD),” Mr McGauran said.

This brings the expected total cost of the Australian Government’s assistance to $114 million as it comes on top of $4 million already provided to help those in need of emergency financial assistance. The final cost of the package will be determined by the

length of time the quarantine and movement restrictions are in place.

FURTHER DETAILS AND GUIDELINES

Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment The Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment will be paid fortnightly to individuals who have lost their primary source of income, which is derived directly from

the commercial horse industry, and whose income has been affected by Equine Influenza outbreak and the associated quarantine and movement restrictions.

The payment will be the equivalent of the Newstart Allowance ($424.30 per fortnight for singles). Applicants will have to satisfy the Newstart income test, but will not be subject to any assets or activity tests.

The Payment will be made for up to 12 weeks from the date of declaration of the Equine Influenza outbreak - 25 August 2007 in NSW and QLD. Backdating to the date of the original standstill orders will be available if applications are received within 8 weeks from the declaration date.

Application forms and further information on the Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement will be available on the Centrelink website www.centrelink.gov.au or by calling the Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 234 002.

Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant A business assistance grant of $5000 is available for businesses which derive the majority of their income from the commercial horse industry, have occurred additional costs to implement the quarantine measure and have experienced a significant downturn in income. The Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant (EIBAG) will provide businesses with flexibility to identify their own financial priorities.

Application forms and further information on the Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grant will be available on the Centrelink website www.centrelink.gov.au or by calling the Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 234 002.

Grants for non-government, not for profit equestrian organisations Assistance will also be available for non-government not-for-profit equestrian organisations that have incurred additional expenses during the equine influenza outbreak, resulting from assistance and services provided during quarantine restrictions.

Grants of up to $200,000 will be available to equestrian organisations who have, in addition to the provision of voluntary services by their members or affiliates, incurred expenses directly related to the outbreak of Equine Influenza and the resulting quarantine restrictions.

Additional information is available by calling the Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 234 002.

Commercial Horse Assistance Payment A Commercial Horse Assistance Payment (CHAP) will also be available to primary carers whose racing, harness or professional equestrian competition horses have been unable to undertake their normal activities, and could otherwise have generated an income, if not for the quarantine restrictions in place. This payment will make sure horses receive adequate care, and remain fit and healthy during the current quarantine restrictions, so that all horse industries can make a swift and full recovery as soon as the standstill is lifted.

It is estimated that up to 10,000 horses in the ACT, NSW and QLD will be eligible for assistance, if as a result of quarantine restrictions, they are not able to engage in activities that could potentially earn an income.

CHAP will be administered by the relevant racing and harness authority in each state and territory, based on stable returns. For other commercial horses, the state Equestrian Federation will administer payments.

Payments based on a daily rate will be paid to horse carers on a fortnightly basis.

Daily rates are as follows:

• NSW Metropolitan Thoroughbreds $60 • NSW Provincial/ ACT Thoroughbreds $55 • NSW Country Thoroughbreds $50 • NSW Metropolitan Harness $20 • NSW Provincial/Country Harness $15

• QLD Metropolitan (Bris, GC) Thoroughbreds $55 • QLD Country Thoroughbreds $50 • QLD/ACT Harness $20 • Other commercial non-racing horses $20

A portion of the payment may be retained by the relevant equine authority for limited purposes which may include the payment of worker’s compensation and public liability premiums on behalf of participants.

Application forms and further information on the Equine Influenza Commercial Horse Assistance Payments will be available from your relevant state racing, harness or equestrian organisation. Contact details are available by calling the Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 234 002.

Further media inquiries:

Minister McGauran's office: Ben Houston 02 6277 7520