No cuts to farmer aid

FEARS the Abbott Government might cut vital financial counselling services for struggling farmers have been quelled by Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce.

Mr Joyce said that the free service would be maintained and there were enough available funds to do so.

There was speculation it would be axed when a review was announced in May last year. That came after the Commission of Audit recommended the service, in place since 1986, be abolished and services be run by the private sector without subsidies.