Motion to share drought money more widely rejected at ICPA conference

The Aramac-Muttaburra branch had put the motion up, saying whole communities were experiencing financial hardship and so it was important that assistance not be limited only to families eligible for the Living Away from Home Allowance.

Following the release of the Rural and Remote Drought and Debt Taskforce report in April, $3.7m was included in the state budget over three years to assist with the cost of boarding school fees for students in drought-affected areas, expected to amount to $1250 per student, to be paid to LAFHAS recipients in drought-declared shires.

Delegate Milynda Rogers said the effects of drought were far-reaching.

“Whole communities are experiencing financial hardship,” she said, proposing that payments take the form of textbook and technology allowances, contributions to internet plans, travel allowances, and/or direct funds to assist with tuition, boarding fees and second home costs.

Among those speaking against the motion in its current form were Yaraka-Isisford branch’s Mary Killeen, who said the amount allocated was finite and if the reach were widened, could end up amounting to only $100 per family, which “wouldn’t be any good for anybody”.

“I think people support the intent if not the wording,” she said.

Richmond’s Camilla Rogers said that while she respected the concept and agreed that not just people on properties were affected by drought, the motion had no guidelines.

“If it were opened up to children of public servants, I would object to that.”

State councillor Rebecca Greenwood said she had spent 35 years on a property but was now in town, where she saw how difficult it was for small business owners and the like to access help.

Noting that many in need didn’t come under the LAFHAS umbrella, vice president Louise Martin gave an example of a local Tambo resident with a child at the Dalby State School and struggling with finances.

“There are people missing out,” she said.

Federal president Wendy Hick told the conference that her council had been asked to lobby federal government for more drought assistance, recognising that children in towns still had costs associated with education, and their families were “down to the last pennies”.

In speaking to the motion, Milynda said her branch wanted ICPA to lobby relevant ministers to consider children in rural towns impacted by drought.

“When a decision is made about who can access that money, we ask that they consider every child,” she said.

Queries about amending the motion were made during debate but none were put up by the time debate had closed, and the motion as it stood was lost.

A following motion from Belyando-Mt Coolon, that ICPA Queensland continue to lobby the Ministers for Agriculture and Education to implement a permanent drought allowance within the LAFHA for recipients who reside in drought-declared shire or on individually drought-declared properties, was passed.

President Kate Ashton said this would take away the time-consuming need to lobby every time a drought comes along.

“You would have funds to help you straight away,” she said.

“The situation now is, you’re in drought two years, then you lobby for two years, and then help might come.

“The paperwork for the Living Away from Home Allowance is already done – it makes sense because everything has already been checked out.”