September 19, 2011
Gippsland farmers will still be able to access financial counselling after the Federal Government agreed to continue funding for the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) for four years.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester campaigned for the extension of the service and indicated the RFCS was important for local farmers planning for the future.
Earlier this year, concerns were raised over funding for the RFCS program and Mr Chester highlighted the issue in Parliament.
“It was concerning that at a time when a large number of Gippsland farmers were about to come off Exceptional Circumstances drought support, funding for the RFCS hadn’t been guaranteed beyond this year,” Mr Chester said.
“There is a constant demand for financial counselling services for farmers given the complicated and complex processes involved in retirement and succession planning.
“It is a particularly important service in times of need and it will be pleasing for many local farmers that funding for the organisation will continue for four more years.”
RFCS Gippsland Executive Officer Peter Jennings has met with Mr Chester in Canberra and said the organisation would continue to focus its operations on assisting farmers through retirement and succession planning processes; restructuring and debt consolidation; and assistance with Transitional Income Support.
“Across the whole Gippsland region in the past 12 months more than 300 farmers have enquired or used the services that are offered through the RFCS,” Mr Jennings said.
“Many farmers are unsure of where to seek assistance and rural financial counsellors can help them to start the process by identifying goals and strategies and then point them in the right direction for further professional advice.
“The counsellors don’t give financial advice, but they provide direction and support for the farming community. Some farming families put off making decisions until they are forced to deal with them but early planning can make a big difference.”
Mr Chester encouraged anyone interested in speaking to a rural financial counsellor to contact RCFS Gippsland in Maffra on (03) 5147 0855 or Bairnsdale on (03) 5152 1514.