Govt extends national EI assistance

The federal government has extended assistance to people affected by equine influenza (EI) horse movement restrictions.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Tony Burke extended the package to March 14 or until movement restrictions were lifted.
He said many businesses and individuals still facing hardship due to the continuing standstill.
"After consulting with horse industry stakeholders, I have decided to extend the Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment, the Business Assistance Grant and the Commercial Horse Assistance Payment," Mr Burke said in a statement.
Mr Burke said the package had gone a long way to reducing the overall impact since the outbreak occurred in August last year.
"I am sure the decision to extend this assistance will be welcomed by people doing business in the areas affected by the continued movement restrictions."
An inquiry into the outbreak, that began in August last year, is being conducted by retired High Court judge Ian Callinan.
The first case of EI in Australia was detected at Sydney's Eastern Creek quarantine facility on August 23 in a thoroughbred stallion which had travelled from the northern hemisphere and was awaiting release.
The outbreak, which brought horse racing to a halt in NSW and Queensland, is estimated to have cost the industry more than $500 million.