24 Feb 2017

NZ dairy farmers in Australia surviving on food parcels

From Morning Report, 7:10 am on 24 February 2017

New Zealand dairy farmers in Australia are surviving on food parcels while their neighbours get a 500-dollar-a week government allowance for each household.

Farmland in Echuca, Victoria, Australia.

Farmland in Echuca, Victoria, Australia. Photo: AFP / Elke Meitzel / Cultura Creative

The neighbours also get cheap loans, but  the Federal Government has once again made clear these won't be open to non-Australians, even if they pay taxes and farm levies.

A leading supporter of the farmers made a plea to New Zealand's Prime Minister to do something - but has had no reply.