The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, is calling on the Allan Labor Government to urgently provide drought support for farmers across Northern Victoria, who are facing increasingly dry conditions.
Ms O’Keeffe met with farmers from across the region on the steps of Parliament this week who were protesting the new Emergency Services & Volunteer tax. Those farmers now face a new emergency services tax that will increase their tax burden by 150 per cent compared to the former fire services levy.
This has caused even further financial distress at a time when we are in the midst of a drought. Rather than trying to take from our farmers, the government should be supporting them in their time of need.
Farmers also expressed their frustration about the inaction of the Allan Labor Government, which has failed to provide any meaningful drought support.
While the Allan Labor Government recently announced $13.5 million in drought support, the funding is limited to farmers in South-West Victoria — leaving those in the north without assistance.
Ms O’Keeffe said rural communities deserved better and called for an official drought declaration in the Greater Shepparton and Moira LGAs.
“There are serious rainfall deficiencies across Northern Victoria, but the government is refusing to support our hardworking farmers,” she said.
“The Goulburn Valley is the fruit bowl of the nation and dry conditions here will affect every Australian.
“At the very least, the Allan Labor Government must extend the same drought support currently available to South-West Victoria to farmers in the north.”
“The current situation is untenable for our farmers as paddocks become unseasonably bare, and dams begin to run dry.”
Ms O’Keeffe said the impact of a lack of rainfall was being felt in acute ways by every single farmer.
“The impact of drought conditions on farmers is impossible to overstate,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“The cost of trucking in hay, buying water, and simply trying to plan for the future is enormous.
“While the financial strain is severe, the toll on mental health is just as serious and it’s growing.
“The Agriculture Minister needs to visit our region, speak to farmers and fund a support package tailored to the very difficult circumstances we’re facing.”