Rural Assistance and Drought Package

Farm Business Debt Mediation Bill 2016

This bill forces banks and other lenders to offer farmers mediation before they can enforce a farm mortgage, giving struggling farmers a structured chance to negotiate outside of court. It also renames QRAA as the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority, lets industry bodies run their own biosecurity accreditation schemes, clears the way for viruses to be used as pest control, and allows Queensland cannabis growers to supply seed to medicinal cannabis producers.