In discussing women’s participation in the economy and the development of businesses, the following topics were considered by Summit participants:
- the impact of oil prices;
- interest rates and the value of the Australian dollar;
- labour shortages, superannuation and tax;
- child care;
- digital communications;
- trade barriers, including those created through regulation;
- training, apprentices and incentives;
- small business support networks in rural areas;
- research and development;
- drought assistance;
- tax incentives;
- export market development grants;
- integration of refugees into employment and the community;
- seasonal work challenges;
- worker support, e.g. housing; and
- family businesses and succession.
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Achievements
The Government has made two important funding commitments in this area:
- An additional $50 million in funding in 2009/10 for the Export Market Development Grants scheme; and
- The $130 million Australia’s Farming Future initiative to help primary industries improve productivity, adapt and adjust to a changing global climate and manage greenhouse pollution. Australia’s Farming Future programs include:
- the Climate Change Research Program to fund research and on-farm activities;
- FarmReady, to boost training opportunities for primary producers by offering reimbursement of up to $1,500 for approved training courses and to help industry, farming and natural resource management (NRM) groups develop strategies to adapt and respond to climate change;
- the Climate Change Adjustment Program to help farmers develop options for on-farm climate change strategies and practices and to get professional advice and training or adjustment assistance—rural financial counsellors can help eligible farmers improve their long-term financial position;
- Transitional Income Support, which is linked to the Climate Change Adjustment Program and provides short-term income support, advice and training to farmers in serious financial difficulty to help them adapt their farm to better deal with a changing climate; and
- funding for community networks and capacity building activities that increase the leadership and representational skills of women, youth, Indigenous Australians and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
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Processes under way
Significant progress has been made with the National Review of Drought Policy, including:
- a detailed scientific examination of likely future climate patterns released in July 2008;
- an assessment of the social impacts of the drought released in October 2008; and
- an economic assessment by the Productivity Commission. The final inquiry report was sent to Government on 27 February 2009. The draft report is available for information until the final report is released by the Australian Government.