MEDIA RELEASE: TFCA questions rural business definition.

The Tasmanian Forest Contractors Association welcomes the extension of the Rural Financial Counselling Service for a further term of four years, recently announced by Minister, Joe Ludwig.
“We note from the Minister’s statements, that the intention is for the service to assist fishers, farmers and small rural businesses. However a large number of rural based businesses, intimately involved in the preparation, planting, maintenance harvesting and haulage of a primary industry crop, trees, has in the past, been precluded from accessing this service”, CEO, Ed Vincent said.
“The facts are that businesses, in this sector of rural industry are experiencing the biggest crisis in at least forty years. Yet these same people are being prevented from accessing the financial counselling that they need to make really difficult and major decisions, because of a bureaucratic definition.”
“Many contractors stand to lose everything because they cannot get good advice.”
“We call on the Minister to ensure that the interpretation of “rural business” allows forest contractors to access this valuable service.”
For comment:
Ed Vincent CAHRI
Chief Executive Officer
TASMANIAN FOREST CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
Phone: 03 6343 3398
Fax: 03 6343 1775
Mobile: 0417 520 591
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.tfca.com.au
Address: PO Box 770, KINGS MEADOWS TAS 7249