Media Release
Drought Bus continues tour of East Gippsland
10 April 2008
Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig said the Australian Government’s Drought Bus will continue its tour of the Gippsland region next week stopping at Churchill, Yarram, Sale and Bairnsdale.
The Australian Government is committed to engage directly with rural communities and the Drought Bus tour aims to encourage local farmers, residents and small businesses to explore the range of available payments and support.
“We’re making it easier for farmers, small businesses and town people to access drought assistance payments as well as other Australian Government support services such as Centrelink, by taking the Drought Bus directly to the people,” said Senator Ludwig.
“While recent rain falls across some parts of the country have provided some immediate relief, the prolonged effects of the drought are still placing a great financial and emotional strain on farming communities. Farmers and small businesses need to understand they aren’t alone, and that help is available,” he said.
Senator Ludwig said the staff on board the bus are experienced in all Centrelink payments and have a particular affinity with people on the land.
“Most of the staff on the bus live in rural communities and they understand how self-sufficient country people can be – this can make them reluctant to ask for help. That’s why we want to encourage people to talk with staff while they are in Gippsland.”
Senator Ludwig said, “The success of the Drought Bus initiative has been overwhelming. Since their launch in November 2006, the three Australian Government Drought Buses have provided a service to nearly 16,000 people in over 400 towns across the country.”
The Buses have covered over 85,000 kilometres, traveling throughout New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.
“Following reductions in water allocations, one of the Drought Buses is now being used exclusively in the Murray-Darling Basin region,” Senator Ludwig said.
“The bus is like a mobile office, and in this environment many people feel more comfortable applying for drought assistance and learning about Centrelink, government and non-government payments and services. Staff on the bus can also assist visitors with completing claim forms.”
People can also speak with Medicare staff when they visit the Drought Bus. They can assist families with non-cash transactions, such as paying Medicare claims by cheque or EFTPOS, enrolling people for Medicare, or updating their contact details.
The Australian Government Drought Bus will be at:
| Town | Times | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Churchill | 9:30am – 4:30pm | Tuesday 15 April | In the car park, Georgia Place |
| Yarram | 9:30am – 4:30pm | Wednesday 16 April | South of Sustainability and Environment Building, 290 Commercial Road |
| Sale | 9:30am – 12:30pm | Thursday 17 April | Sale Mall, Cunningham Street |
| Bairnsdale | 9:00am – 4:00pm | Friday 18 and Saturday 19 April | East Gippsland Field Day, Site B13, Bairnsdale Aerodrome, Off Bengworden Road |
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