Member for Mt Isa Rob Katter is calling on communities to make submissions to the Queensland Parliament to help him address the long term lack of rural policy planning.
Mr Katter, who believes rural debt is one of the major factors holding the regional economy back, introduced the Rural and Regional Adjustment (Development Assistance) Amendment Bill earlier this year.
"Paying down debt is one of the biggest costs on producers in Queensland, if we can address this issue we can give the sector the step-up it needs to take advantage of the growing interest in the market," Mr Katter said.
"This Bill will help establish a reconstruction facility in Queensland to assist landowners and allow those hit by the drought a chance to get on their feet and expand for the benefit of all of Queensland,” he said.
He said the Government can't access cheap molasses or cheap diesel or cheap tyres - but that they can access cheap money for assistance.
"There simply isn't a more cost-effective way to push cash back through the tills of businesses in these towns.”
Despite high cattle prices, he said not all producers are back in the black following years of drought.
"High cattle prices at present might be a positive move for some, however others are currently struggling to restock.
"Positive rhetoric is all well and good, but those at the end of the economic chain in these small towns are still missing out.
"Anecdotally, herd sizes are down by around 20 per cent, so it's going to be a long time before we see any real benefit.”
He said a lot of farmers are willing to batten down the hatches over the next few years and weather the storm
“But that won't help keep businesses in town alive.
“I’m encouraging submissions to be made in support of the reconstruction facility, to help begin to build up regional Queensland once again.”
As part of the Parliamentary process the Finance and Administration committee will be discussing and investigating Mr Katter's proposed legislation in the coming weeks and will report back in November.
This month the committee has welcomed submissions from members of the public to speak on the issue of rural debt and ask their opinion of the bill.
Submissions in support of the regional development facility will close at 4pm on Friday, July 29, 2016.
* Details on how to make a submission can be found here: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/committees/FAC/inquiries/current-inquiries/B13-RuralRegional