Let’s invest our money in cattle industry

ONE cannot help but be moved by John Andersen’s photos and graphic reporting on the horrific conditions being faced by the North Queensland cattle industry ( TB, 11/2).

What these western Queensland families are facing after years of drought is catastrophic.

Listening to the ABC on Monday and hearing the moving interview with Richmond Mayor John Wharton I would like to suggest that from “left field” that the following be possibly considered.

Those who are disillusioned with the future of losing their dividend imputation credits, fed up with the current interest rate offered by the “tainted” banks and not prepared to invest any more in the housing industry/ stock market, look at helping these people out west.

I am not suggesting this be considered as taking advantage of someone else’s misfortune but a great way to assist fellow Australians in need of a helping hand up and not a hand out.

What I am proposing is there are ways to assist these cattlemen who will have the land, shortly heaps of feed (grass) but no money to buy cattle.

There have been precedents set where people go into a legal arrangement with the property owner where cattle are purchased by yourself and you agist them on their property or alter- natively you both go halves (or whatever) and graze them for the next 18 months to two years on their property.

Once these cattle are eventually sold I believe the return would be much more than current bank interest rate and personally gratifying.

And the good thing is the property owner would then be around to fight another day. BOB CHAD, North Ward.