Aussie Govt Boosts Drought Relief Funding To 1.3 Billion USD
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published August 19, 2018 | 02:48 PM
CANBERRA, Aug. 19 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Aug, 2018 ) :Australian farmers struggling with the worst drought in decades will have access to a 1.8 billion Australian Dollars (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) for relief, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Sunday.
Under the significant funding boost, 60 drought-affected councils on Australia's east coast will be handed one million Australian dollars each to be spent however they see fit on drought relief.
Of the 60 councils, 36 are in New South Wales where the entire state is affected by drought, 22 in Queensland and two in Victoria.
"This is really important, to get some more cash into these communities, to do long overdue work of the type the councils are always attending to," Turnbull told reporters on Sunday.
"That's going to provide some more jobs and some more income into the town." Of the 1.8 billion Australian dollars (1.3 billion U.S. dollars), 250 million Australian dollars (182 million U.S. dollars) was announced as new funding by Turnbull on Sunday.
A majority of the relief funding will be distributed in the form of low-interest loans which will have to be paid back and do not affect the Federal Budget.
Turnbull announced on Sunday that the amount farmers can borrow in low-interest loans would be doubled to two million Australian dollars (1.46 million U.S. dollars) and the amount available for loans would be doubled to 500 million Australian dollars (365 million U.S. dollars).
Recent Stories
London, Frankfurt stocks hit record highs on rate-cut hopes
May 9 culprits must be brought to logical end: Hanif Abbasi
Sanchez escapes through dust and gravel for nervy Giro triumph
Balochistan Assembly passes resolution to condemn May 9 attacks
Spain govt vows to block hostile BBVA bid for rival bank
NADRA holds open court to resolve public issues in Quetta
In south Brazil, race on to deliver aid ahead of new storms
Appeals against cipher case verdict adjourned till May 15
PIPS collaborates with CfP to enhance technological, educational infrastructure
China launches new satellite
Incidents of misbehavior with patrolling officers are unacceptable: IG NH&MP
Police arrests drug supplier, recover mainpuri
More Stories From World
-
Chad election results to be announced ahead of schedule
22 minutes ago -
UN official says Israel closure of Gaza crossings 'completely crippling' aid
42 minutes ago -
London, Frankfurt stocks hit record highs on rate-cut hopes
50 minutes ago -
In south Brazil, race on to deliver aid ahead of new storms
54 minutes ago -
Govt intends to reform energy sector to provide electricity to consumers at cheaper rates: Ahsan Iqb ..
1 hour ago -
UN says 80,000 displaced from Gaza's Rafah city as Israeli bombardment intensifies
1 hour ago
-
Wings of Faith: 2160 Pakistani Hujjaj reach the Prophet's city to embark on spiritual journey
2 hours ago -
Spanish court shelves Shakira tax fraud case
2 hours ago -
CPEC helps Pakistan expand economic base, enhance regional connectivity over past decade: Ahsan Iqba ..
2 hours ago -
Scientists win World Food Prize for work on Global Seed Vault
2 hours ago -
Boeing passenger plane exits runway in Senegal injuring 11
4 hours ago -
Pakistan eyes green energy, technology cooperation with China in CPEC 2nd phase
5 hours ago