ON THE day the State Government announced that the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund would proceed with farmers to be hit the hardest, the government announced it would be “continuing to back farmers impacted by drought and dry conditions” by announcing a further $15.9 million and adding 13 more local government areas (LGA) to the drought support package announced in September last year.
The new LGAs include Bass Coast and South Gippsland, and French Island, alongside West Wimmera, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Hepburn, Moorabool, Ballarat, Towong, Mornington Peninsula, Cardinia, Baw Baw and Casey.
According to the Government, the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program has already supported more than 1500 farmers in south west Victoria and has now been extended to farmers in the new LGAs.
This drought package will support small businesses through the appointment of a Small Business Financial Counsellor.
Acknowledging the impacts of the dry conditions across Victoria on farmer mental health, a new program will be made available statewide to help communities come together and support farmers under stress.
Agriculture Victoria’s farm business technical and decision-making support will also be made available statewide, supporting farmers to manage the impacts of increasingly difficult seasonal conditions.
But is it enough?
Member for Eastern Victoria Renee Heath pointed to South Australia when speaking in State Parliament on Thursday, May 15 as a state government offering “real support”.
“I rise to highlight the growing impact that drought is having not just on farmers but on every Victorian household. In the Eastern Victoria Region, especially across Gippsland, dairy farms are running out of water and feed.
“Some have already begun destocking; others are facing financial ruin. But it is not just a rural issue. When farmers cannot produce, supermarket shelves cannot stock food. When stock numbers fall and crops fall, food prices rise. In a cost-of-living crisis this is really hurting families.
“Without urgent drought relief, things will only get worse. Milk, meat, fruit, vegetables – all of those things will get more and more expensive.
“South Australia has stepped in with real support, but in Victoria the Allan Labor government has done nothing – no subsidies, no relief, no urgency – and this is not an issue that can be ignored. If the government does not act now and deliver meaningful support to our farmers, the damage will reach every single family and every single household.”
The inclusion of 13 additional LGAs for support follows from the Government's announcement of partial rebates on the ESVF for farmers eligible for the infrastructure grants program in the Government’s drought support package.
Primary Production Land will be slugged 71.8c/$1,000 Capital Improved Value under the new ESVF passed overnight.
Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Emergency Services Minister, Danny O’Brien, said the new tax was a revenue measure – not a real plan to enhance emergency services this morning.
“This is a massive hit amidst a cost-of-living crisis, and a drought in many parts of regional Victoria," Mr O'Brien said.
“The emergency services tax is about plugging budget holes, not frontline services.
“Farmers, so vocal in their protests on the steps of Parliament, have been used a bargaining tool, which leaves a very poor taste.”
According to Mr O’Brien and Shadow Treasurer, James Newbury, the dirty deal to get the legislation passed follows “Scrap the Tax” protests on the steps of Parliament this week, when Premier Jacinta Allan refused to address the crowd.
To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available to drought impacted farmers visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or phone 136 186.