15th November 2006AgForce Qld has renewed its calls for the Qld Government to overhaul the leasehold land rental system in the wake of last week’s comments by the Prime Minister, at the water summit in Canberra.
Mr Howard suggested the states waive water charges and introduce a rates rebate scheme to help drought affected farmers.
AgForce vice president, John Cotter, said the best way the State Government could help farmers right now was to reform its methods for calculating rents on leasehold land.
The State Government currently calculates rents based on yearly valuations, which result in wildly fluctuating costs.
“For the past 12 months, AgForce has been lobbying the government to introduce this new system which recognises commercial reality where rents on leasehold land rise by no more than the CPI in any one year,” he said.
Mr Cotter said it was imperative the State Government moves on the issue now and called on Treasurer Anna Bligh to reform the system.
“We are encouraged by the Treasurer’s comments today where she said she would review the costs and benefits in regards to water and a rates rebate,” he said.
“However, AgForce’s proposal for reforming rents has been in front of them for months and months.
“This is the ideal way for the State Government to show they are doing their bit to help families suffering during this terrible drought.”
SOURCE: Queensland Country Life weekly rural news service, updated daily by FarmOnline.
