Disaster relief breakthrough a major win for growers 

The change means farming families who rely on both on-farm and off-farm ag-related income – like harvesting or planting services – will no longer be locked out of disaster support. 

These growers will now be eligible for key assistance measures, including recovery grants, concessional loans, and freight subsidies. 

Announcing the change at the 2025 FNQ Field Days in Mareeba this morning, Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said agriculture was “vital to every Australian,” adding: “When our producers suffer, we all do.”   

CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan joined local growers and ag industry leaders in Mareeba to welcome the news. 

“This is a smart, sensible fix that brings disaster recovery support into line with how modern farms actually operate,” Mr Galligan said.  

“We thank Minister Perrett for listening to growers and championing this reform, and we acknowledge the strong support from both the Queensland and Federal governments.” 

The move follows sustained advocacy by CANEGROWERS, in partnership with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation, and comes after widespread flooding devastated large swaths of North Queensland’s cane country earlier this year, especially around the Herbert River region. 

“This is about making sure no grower falls through the cracks,” Mr Galligan said. “Many families rely on a mix of on-farm income and contracting work to stay viable – it’s never made sense to leave them out of disaster support.” 

The reform will be applied retrospectively to Queensland’s 2025 summer flooding events, meaning any farmers who were previously deemed ineligible under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) should contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946 to find out what the amendments mean for them. 

The reform adds to a growing list of tangible wins for cane growers in recent months.  

Earlier this year, CANEGROWERS successfully secured the inclusion of replanting costs in disaster recovery grants – another first for the industry. 

The organisation also worked with government to deliver targeted relief for recent events, including extended application deadlines for Cyclone Jasper support and an increased funding cap of $75,000 for growers hardest hit by the summer floods. 

“These are meaningful, real-world outcomes that show what industry advocacy can achieve,” Mr Galligan said.  

“We’ll continue working to ensure disaster support keeps pace with the way growers run their businesses, because when growers are backed, the whole community benefits.” 

Pictured: NFF CEO Troy Williams, Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett, NFF Chair David Jochinke, CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan and Membership Engagement and Innovation Manager Matt Kealley