Horse Flu Business Grants: How to get them!

The Australian Horse Industry Council has been contacted by many horse people who have been told they are ineligible for the Business Assistance Grant for those affected by the Horse Flu, as it requires them to have increase in their costs.The wording of the grant application requires amongst other requirements, that : businesses must“(d) demonstrate and declare that they have had a significant downturn in their income due to the impact of EI in Australia and an increase in costs due to the restrictions on horse movements.”This latter requirement has proved an obstacle to many.
On 18 September the government changed this wording from OR an increase in costs to AND an increase in costs, and from that time it has been much harder for many to access this grant. In this stroke of a pen they appeared to exclude many valid applicants.
Dr Smyth, president of the Australian Horse Industry Council said today “We have received many complaints from our members who have come to us in desperation, saying they are not eligible for this grant because they have no increase in costs!
“Certainly there are those who have called out vets to treat sick horses may have an increase in these veterinary costs and medications. However, the bulk of those affected are not battling with sick horses.
“Many small businesses are fighting for their lives. It is difficult to understand how a business has an increase in costs if it involves a clinic instructor or a farrier who is forced to stay at home, or a saddlery with 20% of their normal customers and a decrease in staff. In these legitimate cases for obtaining assistance, their costs are actually less, not more. Those who cannot carry out normal business and are prevented from going out and spending money on fuel, travel, accommodation, replacement of equipment, purchase of products and materials etc. have a decrease in costs …Their problem is no or minimal income, not increased costs!
A typical small horse business describes it this way in an email to the Australian Horse Industry Council :
“My business includes workshops and the sale of specialty farrier's equipment. At the moment we have had to cancel all our proposed workshops all over Australia till Christmas. As no trimmers are working we are not selling any boots. So we are living on no income at present and dipping into our savings. If we don't get the business grant we won't have enough money to restart our business as the insurance premium of $3,000 is due in November. Our costs have not increased, so according to the regulations, we are not eligible for the government grant.”
The Australian Horse Industry Council recommends that horse businesses who are excluded from this grant because their costs have not apparently increased should do the following:
1. Explain your increase in costs in this way. Compare your normal costs and takings with the EI affected figures for income and expenditure. If your costs are the same but your income has dwindled to nothing, the percentage of costs has increased. This percentage increase is what you declare when you self assess at the time of making your claim with Centrelink.
2. If you are genuinely affected, make sure you apply . Ring 1800 234 002 and follow through with the application process, making a clear case for your current needs.
3. Join the Australian Horse Industry Council (and state industry bodies) and email them with stories of successes or failures so that there is evidence of problems in the system . This can be used when discussing the issues with the government.
Dr Smyth said that meanwhile the Australian Horse Industry Council will continue to do its utmost to ensure that those who are genuinely in need because of the horse flu find this grant accessible.

www.horsecouncil.org.au