Rarely do the stars align where the federal government could inject a major stimulus for the bush with hearty support from metropolitan Australians.
They could instigate a long-term economic plan, providing a major economic and innovation boost to grow national wealth through focused capital in the bush.
This stimulus could be through access to low-interest, long-term capital (less than 2 per cent over 25 years) like international competitors' markets.
Rural business people are reeling after both drought and bushfires have stripped them of their capacity to contribute to national wealth.
The packages in place will not have enough quantum to get people back on their feet.
The Regional Investment Corporation loans are helpful, but will become an issue in five years when interest and principal must be repaid.
Both farmers and businesses in fire-affected areas have had a major economic shock that will require assistance, so their regions do not lie dormant for an extended period.
Young farmers and rural business people are finding it impossible to get a start; the drive and enthusiasm of young people is limited, which is critical in making rural Australia maximise the contribution to national wealth.
Australia's ability to encourage people to enter regional business is essential to ensure growth.
Rural Australia has been starved of capital for many years, to the point where we hear often that it is important we have overseas investment in rural Australia, but any cursory examination will show that the corporatisation and foreign buy-out of rural Australia is slowly draining all our people out of communities.
International buyers are entering the Australian market with money accessed at 1-2pc finance, making it extremely difficult for domestic farmers and businesses to compete. While foreign players are always necessary, too much is not healthy for agriculture.
Rural Australians have historically been major contributors to national wealth, with decent finance agriculture can further boost national GDP.
The National Farmers Federation says agriculture requires a capital boost of $600 billion to reach the target of $100 billion annual contribution to the economy.
Running parallel to this, the Reserve Bank of Australia has identified the urgent need for economic stimulus to avoid recession.
Australia has signed the Paris Climate Agreement to meet carbon reduction, but to achieve those targets agriculture will have to increase its role in mitigation.
So, all this is all very good, but can the government do it and keep a budget surplus?
In short, they already have with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which was floated by a bond to finance new solar and wind farms.
The government needs to apply the same innovative thinking to stimulate economic growth and jobs in the powerhouse of the rural economy.
This initiative could boost the bush in one clever sweep.
