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Commonwealth Takes The Lead On Drought Assistance

The Liberal Party has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s increase in support for Victoria’s drought affected farmers.

By Philip Davis - 31st May 2005 - Back to News

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said the increase in vital assistance services such as interest rate subsidies, counselling and support services, a second round of grants through the drought Envirofund and more generous income tests for Exceptional Circumstances relief payments was great news for farmers affected by the drought.

Mr Davis said the increase in Commonwealth support was welcome relief following Premier Steve Bracks and Acting Agriculture Minister John Brumby’s visit to Birchip and Warracknabeal today, which left a sour taste in the mouth of many local farmers.

While in the region, Steve Bracks and John Brumby chose a selected group of farmers to discuss drought issues, excluding members of the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) and other drought affected farmers.

The Premier has previously refused to visit the region, but was shamed into the visit after Liberal Leader Robert Doyle and Mr Davis visited on Friday, meeting with farmers and their families.

"Birchip’s bush telegraph on Friday was working at its best, with word spreading that the Premier’s office was attempting to organise a visit on the sly," Mr Davis said.

"When local farmers and members of the VFF tried to get more information and become involved in the Premier’s visit, they were stone-walled and told it was by invitation only.

"While in Birchip and Warracknabeal, the Premier had a quick chat with farmers, didn’t offer any assistance, then took a ride on a tractor for the television cameras.

"It was purely a public relations exercise."

Mr Davis said the Bracks Government was ignorant of the issues affecting people on the land and rather than holding secret meetings with selective invitation lists, it had to get real and honour its promise to be open and accountable.

He said the Bracks Government’s last attempt at drought assistance was also political opportunism, offering much-needed cash grants to drought affected farmers but canning the assistance just after the 2002 election when less than 10 per cent of Victoria’s farmers had qualified and received the help.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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