The Rural Debt Crisis Summit in Winton is a chance to take "decisive action" to help save Australian farmers drowning in debt, a QUT economist says.
QUT Business School senior lecturer Dr Mark McGovern will address the Summit, which takes place today (FRIDAY) in Winton, Central West Queensland, to outline the vision for Rebuilding Rural Australia, including the role of the Australian Reconstruction Development Board (ARDB) currently before the Senate Economics Legislation Committee.
The Summit aims to draw national attention to the plight of drought-affected and debt-laden producers across Australia's agricultural sector and explore how to improve their situation.
Radio 2GB broadcaster Alan Jones, Federal Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce, Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and Queensland Member for Mount Isa Rob Katter are expected to attend the Summit, as well as agribusiness bankers and graziers from across Queensland and interstate.
The meeting is being convened by a local organising committee headed up by Rob Katter.
Dr McGovern, one of the brains behind the ARDB, said it would sit within the Reserve Bank and foster the reconstruction of faltering enterprises in an agricultural sector laden with more than $60 billion in debt.
"The ARDB offers a sensible, prudent solution to a problem that urgently needs to be addressed," he said.
"There is an underlying malaise in the rural economy that is threatening to needlessly force producers off the land and, if it is allowed to continue, risks making agriculture an unsustainable industry for Australians.
"It is time for decisive action, not more empty words."
The Summit takes place in the Winton Shire Council Supper Room from 11.30am.
WHAT: Rural Debt Crisis Summit
WHEN: Friday, 5th December
START: 11.30am
WHERE: Winton Shire Council Supper Room
Media contact:
Rob Kidd, QUT Media, 07 3138 1841, rj.kidd@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
