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Melina Bath slams Labor's drought support as "Inadequate, Insulting" and burdened by emergency services tax

The Nationals' Melina Bath slammed Labor's drought package as inadequate, criticising high costs and exclusion, while highlighting rising taxes burdening farmers amid worsening conditions and a lack of real support.

By news@gippsland - 16th May 2025 - Back to News

The Nationals' Melina Bath has labelled the Allan Labor government's drought support package 'inadequate and insulting'. "This quasi support package is what regional people have come to expect from tone deaf Labor," said Ms Bath.

Melina Bath slammed Labor's drought package as 'inadequate' offering less support than SA and hitting farmers with soaring new taxes

Drought support fails

Ms Bath said, "Labor has categorically failed to deliver needed assistance for feed, fodder, and water to help keep livestock alive and reduce destocking. Instead of delivering genuine drought support, Labor has window dressed a dollar-for-dollar grant scheme that cash strapped farmers must outlay thousands to access."

"While farmers in Bass Coast, South Gippsland and Baw Baw Shire are finally included, the package is $60 million less than South Australia government's in comparison. It will do little for our struggling primary producers as drought-like conditions prevail."

"This follows Labor doing another dirty deal with the Greens to pass its $2.1 billion Emergency Services tax which will increase the tax burden on primary producers by 150 percent and householders, business and rental providers by 100 percent," said Ms Bath.

Pictures from Melina Bath MP Instagram page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  The latest data shows Victoria’s ambulance service declining, with fewer than 64% of Code 1 responses within 15 minutes, highlighting regional delays, under‑resourcing, and mismanagement under the Allan Labor government.
• David Littleproud says farmers won major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds
  Nationals Leader David Littleproud says farmers have won a major victory after Labor abandoned its plan to tax unrealised gains on farms held in self-managed super funds.
• Tim Bull slammed labor for $13M machete amnesty waste, penalising Gippslanders while failing to target urban crime effectively
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticized Labor's $13 million machete amnesty, calling it wasteful, ineffective, and unfairly punishing rural Victorians while targeting areas with no machete problem.
• Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland landholders to understand new property taxes and reporting obligations effective from 1 January 2026
  Danny O’Brien urged Gippsland landholders to understand new property taxes and reporting obligations from 1 January 2026, warning compliance is essential to avoid penalties despite Nationals’ opposition.
• Labor government slammed as Gippsland crime soars, Danny O'Brien warns communities are failed by weak laws
  Danny O'Brien says Gippsland crime is surging under Labor, with major increases across all councils. He warns weakened laws, police shortages, and neglect leave communities unsafe, demanding stronger action and real consequences.