He said the calls told him there was “significant evidence arising of farmers having difficulty getting carry-on finance, due to the attitude of banks”.

Because of the situation and the potential for a crisis, particularly for broadacre grain farmers looking to finance this year’s crop, Mr Tuckey ensured the inclusion of the farming sector in the terms of reference for a Federal Government Senate Inquiry, into access to finance for small businesses in Australia.

The Senate recently agreed to the Coalition’s proposal for an inquiry into the difficulties small businesses continue to face, in getting access to adequate and affordable finance.

A media statement said the Coalition had “listened carefully” to the widespread concern in the small business community and “recognises” that available and affordable finance is the oxygen needed to support small business as the engine-room of the Australian economy.

Mr Tuckey said he wanted farmers to make submissions to the inquiry through the Senate Economics References Committee.

“I’ve had a number of first hand reports of farmers having trouble getting access to finance for this year’s cropping program,” he said.

“Farmers who are having these kinds of problems can make a submission to this inquiry.

“A lot of grain farmers didn’t make a profit last year; they are under pressure this year and having trouble getting loans.

“It’s a serious problem.

“I’ve not had 100 calls on it, but I’ve had quite a few, and they have been from all kinds of farmers.

“The type of farmers contacting me is also interesting because most of them are quite astute which has helped raise my interest.

“It may seem like a slow boat to China, and there are limitations on what can be done, but these kinds of inquiries get the banks fired up because they will be called as witnesses and they don’t like that.”

Mr Tuckey said farmers would be able to give confidential evidence to the inquiry, “in camera”.

The Senate Economics References Committee includes WA Senator Alan Eggleston.

Submissions should be received by March 31, 2010, while the Committee will report by June 30, 2010.