Member for Dubbo Troy Grant says the State =
Government is=20
committed to supporting farmers despite news of a funding cutback in =
Central=20
West Rural Financial Counselling Services.
=E2=80=9CI recognise the vital role the Rural Financial Counselling =
Service plays in=20
supporting their clients and the need for the service in the Central =
West where=20
the caseload is the highest in the country,=E2=80=9D Mr Grant said.
=E2=80=9CIt disappoints me to hear that a shortfall in funding will =
mean cutbacks in=20
administration and counselling staff in Dubbo and the closure of one =
office in=20
Gilgandra. These were tough decisions made by the Central West Rural =
Financial=20
Counselling Service CEO Jeff Caldbeck whom I have held discussions =
with.=E2=80=9D
An $800,000 shortfall in funding for the new financial year means the =
service=20
will have to reduce its number of clients by about 400.
The shortfall is a result of the Federal Government reducing its =
funding for=20
the next four years from $2.5 million to $1.7 million.
The 2011-2012 budget deficit is also the result of the service not =
being able=20
to draw on unspent surplus Federal Government funds from previous years.
During the past three financial years the State Government has =
contributed=20
$318,000 a year. The NSW budget is not due to be handed down until =
September.
Mr Grant said he would work with NSW Minister for Primary Industries =
and=20
Minister for Small Business Katrina Hodgkinson in the budget =
appropriation=20
process to endeavour to reduce shortfalls.
=E2=80=9CAs the Member for Dubbo I will do all I can to support Jeff =
and the service=20
which comes to the aid of 1190 clients throughout the Dubbo electorate =
providing=20
assistance for enterprise action plans, succession planning, climate =
change=20
adjustment, drought assistance reform and disaster management,=E2=80=9D =
he said.
Ms Hodgkinson said the Rural Financial Counselling Services Program =
was not=20
one that was run by the NSW Government.=20
=E2=80=9CIt has been established by the Commonwealth and the NSW =
Department of=20
Primary Industries contribution makes up about 15 per cent of the =
overall budget=20
of the Commonwealth=E2=80=99s Rural Financial Counselling Services =
Program,=E2=80=9D Mrs=20
Hodgkinson said.
=E2=80=9CThe Federal Government is responsible for the remaining 85 =
per cent. The=20
department has told the program that any existing surplus funds from NSW =
may be=20
rolled over before the September budget. I=E2=80=99m not in the business =
of pre-empting=20
the treasurer or his Budget, which is due in =
September,=E2=80=99=E2=80=99 she concluded.=20