Interview with Kim Honan, ABC Mid North Coast Rural Report

E&OE TRANSCRIPT
RADIO INTERVIEW
ABC MID NORTH COAST - RURAL REPORT
TUESDAY, 27 MAY 2025

SUBJECTS: NSW Floods, Casino Beef Week, Disaster Assistance for Farmers

KIM HONAN [HOST]: Well, the Federal Government has announced $1 million in funding for the next three years for Casino Beef Week with this year's festival already underway. The Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Anthony Chisholm delivered the news yesterday in person to the committee during the event’s Ladies Luncheon, and I spoke to the Labor Senator on his drive back to Queensland.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: It was a fantastic event today in Casino, and I was really grateful that the organisers invited me along. And at that event, I was able to announce that the Federal Government will contribute $1 million over the next three years to continue to support Casino Beef Week. Obviously, this is a significant event on the calendar for this region, it brings in tens of thousands of visitors, but it’s important for the community and industry as well. So, I’m really pleased that we’re able to support it, and that I was able to be there to help make the announcement today.

HONAN: I guess that is a continuation of funding that the Coalition Government had provided in 2023-25 years as well - $1 million there?

CHISHOLM: Yeah, it’s the continuation of funding. So, another million dollars for Beef Week to run for the next three years. And I think when you look at the challenges that this community have gone through and we look what's happening down further south at the moment, these types of events are really important not only for the industry and learning from each other and building business networks, but also just that community support, like the event I was at today celebrating women in the industry. There's the mental health dinner for men tonight. So, it just goes to show you that this is about more than beef. This is about community and supporting the community. And events that are happening down south reinforce how important that is.

HONAN: And you mentioned, the floods on the Mid North Coast and the Hunter region. Any words yet on whether the Prime Minister will announce Category C or even D assistance and grants to farmers in that region that have been severely affected by these floods?

CHISHOLM: Obviously the immediate challenge has been focused on supporting the community as those flood recovery efforts have taken place and ensuring that the community has kept safe. I'm sure now that those floodwaters have started to recede, that a proper assessment of the damage will be able to take place and a determination will be made on support. I know the Prime Minister's due to be there tomorrow. Kristy McBain, the new Emergency Services Minister, will be there as well. So, I'm sure that those reports that need to be done will be getting done and the Federal Government's been ready to provide support where possible.

HONAN: And do you think you'll be making a trip further south sometime soon?

CHISHOLM: I obviously work closely with Minister Collins as the Senior Minister. I'm sure that between us, when the need arises or the opportunity arises for us to get there to ensure that we're providing that practical support for our primary producers, that we'll be doing that as soon as we can. We understand what a productive area it is and how important it is. I heard a farmer talking on the radio this morning on the drive to Casino, and you could just hear the emotion in his voice, having witnessed the devastation that's occurred. So, it's important that the Prime Minister, the Minister for Emergency Services are there, but both Minister Collins and myself stand ready to travel and be in the area when it's appropriate to do so.

HONAN: Do you think the Prime Minister might make a, you know, a cash grant announcement tomorrow?

CHISHOLM: I'll leave that to the Prime Minister, but I think the importance of the visit is to show that the Federal Government is there and supporting those impacted. I know that additional support was provided through the ADF and Disaster Relief Australia. So, we understand that there's a long-term effort. The Federal Government need to remain focused on that and I'm confident that we will.