fbpx
Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Farmers and banks working together

30 April 2021

The National Farmers’ Federation and Australian banks have agreed to hold a regular summit to discuss issues affecting farmers across Australia.

The first meeting was held this week, attended by NFF CEO Tony Mahar and ABA CEO Anna Bligh, along with representatives from banks and state and territory farming bodies.

NFF CEO Tony Mahar said farmers depended on a strong banking sector and the relationship between agriculture and lenders worked best when each other’s expectations and responsibilities were understood.

“Farmers have faced no shortage of challenges in the past five years, and at the heart of effectively meeting these challenges has been a farmer’s relationship with their bank.”, Mr Mahar said.

“Sustainable farms are productive and profitable farms which is the end goal for farmers and lenders alike”

NFF CEO Tony Mahar

ABA CEO Anna Bligh said the meeting was a vital forum to ensure that banks and farmers are working together on key challenges such as drought and climate change mitigation.

“Agriculture is a critical part of the Australian economy. Banks worked closely with the NFF through the drought and this ongoing dialogue will be crucial as the nation recovers from COVID-19″, Ms Bligh said.

The NFF and the ABA discussed their mutual interest in sustainability, climate change and a reduced emissions future, and animal welfare.

“Agriculture is a critical part of the Australian economy. Banks worked closely with the NFF through the drought and this ongoing dialogue will be crucial as the nation recovers from COVID-19″

ABA CEO Anna Bligh

As part of the Federal Government’s National Drought Forum, the NFF and its membership have been tasked by Agriculture & Drought Minister, David Littleproud to work with the ABA, accountants and financial advisors on ensuring farmers build resilience and are better prepared for future droughts.

“Sustainable farms are productive and profitable farms which is the end goal for farmers and lenders alike”, Mr Mahar said.

The meeting also discussed a nationally consistent farm debt mediation scheme.

Banks and farming organisations will meet again in October.


Banks have teams ready to help in times of trouble

Latest news

1 / 3
Transcript
Interview with ABC Sydney Drive on HELP debts and lending  
13 February 2025

Chris Bath (Host): What’s been your experience of getting finance to buy a house while you’re juggling your HECS HELP debt? Still finding it hilarious actually, that the word help even features in university debt acronyms, but that’s a whole other can of worms. You might have heard the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, out and about… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Australia taking world first approach in war against scammers
13 February 2025

Banks welcome the passage today of critical scam fighting legislation to better protect Australians and help drive financial losses down even further. This new Scam Prevention Framework and the industry codes that will follow for banks, telcos and digital platforms are crucial in ongoing efforts to scam-proof Australia. ABA CEO Anna Bligh said Australia was leading the… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
Interview on 6PR Breakfast on HELP debts and lending
12 February 2025

Karl Langdon (Host): Anna Bligh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Banking Association. Australians with Student Help debts to the tune of $43 billion, $3 million Aussies have outstanding help loans, Milsy. Steve Mills (Host): So, when you apply for a loan, you have to put it down as a liability, and the… Read more »

Read more