• Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Write for Australian Women Online
  • Advertise With Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Style
  • Shoe Boutique
  • eFashion
  • Weight Watchers Australia

Australian Women Online

Business, career, health and lifestyle content for women

  • Home
  • BLOG
  • BOOKS
  • BUSINESS
  • CAREER
  • COOKING
  • HEALTH
  • LIFESTYLE
    • Automotive
    • Beauty
    • Fashion
    • Pets
    • Relationships
    • Your Home
    • Your Money
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • TRAVEL
    • Discount Holidays
You are here: Home / NEWS & POLITICS / Outgoing Australian of the Year Lee Kernaghan

Outgoing Australian of the Year Lee Kernaghan

23 January 2009 by Australian Women Online

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Outgoing Australian of the Year Lee Kernaghan has called on the Federal Government to be more flexible with drought assistance programs to prevent Australian farming families falling through the cracks.

Kernaghan, who spent 2008 visiting Australia’s worst hit drought regions and talking with farmers, industry and community representatives, rural aid organisations and rural financial and health counsellors, said one of the biggest issues facing farming families was insufficient notice given to moving regions off Exceptional Circumstances assistance.

“Areas or regions can get as little as two weeks notice that they are losing assistance and this is causing severe hardship and distress for many families,” he said.

Kernaghan said the message he received loud and clear in the bush was that assistance programs needed to allow for recovery, not just survival.

“Fair and reasonable notice of the withdrawal of Drought Assistance would give families time to prepare for the future and will save families and lives in the bush. It is vital that EC be extended for six or even twelve months to allow restocking, replanting and re-equipping the farm to be a going concern.”

While Kernaghan welcomed and supported the current Federal Government review into drought policy, he said action was needed urgently to save farming families.

“Losing Exceptional Circumstances support meant loss of not only Household Support which put food on the table but also the loss of a Health Care Card, Education Assistance and Interest Rate Subsidy.”

Kernaghan said Australia was built on the back-breaking hard work and ingenuity of Australia’s farmers with the Australian economy being carried for almost two centuries by the farming sector.

Despite the worst drought on record, Australia’s farm exports earned the country $27.6 billion in 2006/07 while agriculture supports the jobs of 1.6 million Australians in farming and related industries.

“Every Australian should ask himself or herself what kind of nation we would be and what kind of people we would become if our farmers disappear, as they are,” he said. “They have never given up on us so we should never give up on them.”

The 2009 Australian of the Year will be announced on 25 January 2009.

You May Also Like:

Filed Under: NEWS & POLITICS, Uncategorized

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

New Content

  • Benefits of Hiring Experts for Your Water Heater Installation
  • How Payment Processing Services Can Help Your Business Grow
  • How to Maintain Breast Milk Supply While Working
  • Streaming Power: How Online Platforms Are Driving Women’s Sports Viewership
  • Why Australian Women Are Rewriting the Rulebook on Everyday Skincare
  • A Season of Power: Women’s Sport Steps Into the Spotlight
  • How Concierge Medicine Empowers Busy Women to Take Control of Their Health
  • Pet Food Australia: The Ultimate Guide to Premium Pet Food for a Healthier, Happier Pet
  • Your Fertility Journey Begins Here: Trusted Care, Expert Guidance
  • New vs. Used Cars: Know the Pros and Cons of Each

Popular Content

  • Moore Weekly Stars
  • How to Maintain Breast Milk Supply While Working
  • Why Sitting Down Too Long is One the Worst Things You Can Do for Your Health
  • Business And Busy-Ness: Running A Company From Home Healthily
  • Not Getting Enough Sleep Will Make Pregnant Women Fat or Obese
  • Fashion: Save Coin with Prom Dresses for Sale Online
  • Benefits of Hiring Experts for Your Water Heater Installation
  • Is it wise to Buy Property with Family and Friends?
  • Veronika Maine Linear Leaf Tiered Skirt
  • About

Australian Women Online © Copyright 2007 - 2025 Deborah Robinson ABN 38 119 171 979 · All Rights Reserved