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More axed jobs to come in agriculture research and development leaving Victorian farmers less productive and sustainable

Victorian farmers face less service delivery after the Agriculture Minister refused to guarantee today the Labor government won't make more job cuts at Agriculture Victoria.

By news@gippsland - 19th May 2022 - Back to News

Agriculture Minister Mary-Anne Thomas raised red flags this morning at Parliament's Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) by confirming the government was still on the warpath for "savings" with staffing "negotiations still taking place". As Labor slices more than 100 jobs from agriculture research and development, the Premier's personal office has increased from 370 staff in 2013-14 to 966 in June last year.

Questions still remain on Victoria's biosecurity efforts against Queensland fruit fly, with the 2022-23 state budget silent on future funding

Handbrake on advancements

Shadow Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said Labor's cuts to agriculture came as it also ripped funds from trade and global engagement, and regional development. "A Labor budget that cuts $47.8 million from agriculture, $46.3 million out of trade and global engagement and $87.1 million from regional development shows this government is no friend to regional Victoria," Mr Walsh said.

"We know Labor's on the warpath for budget 'savings' to plug $28.1 billion in wasteful cost blowouts and Victorian farmers are the unwilling casualties. Axing research and development jobs threatens to put a handbrake on advancements that will make our Victorian farmers more productive, sustainable and profitable."

"The loss of 109 jobs - and more to come - means less people to deliver services to our farmers and less people working on research that is critical for a more efficient, smarter agriculture sector." Mr Walsh said.

No champion for Victorian farmers

Instead, the Minister arrogantly verballed farmers and industry at PAEC today, declaring 'the days of thinking that government can do it alone' were over as she flagged a new 'collective biosecurity' measure.

Mr Walsh said while the government will shirk its responsibility on biosecurity, it's demanding farmers and industry pay more. "More Labor budget cuts from agriculture and regional development shows they're no champion for Victorian farmers or country communities."

"We're all paying for the $28.1 billion in budget blowouts on Labor's mismanaged major projects. Only a change in government in November will deliver regional Victoria our fair share." Mr Walsh said.

Pictures from Agriculture Victoria Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Bass Coast Shire Council won the 2025 AustStab Award for Excellence for pioneering road recycling methods, cutting emissions by 85%, truck movements by 80%, and delivering faster, more sustainable, durable roads with less disruption.
• Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland South women to participate in free BreastScreen Victoria program for early breast cancer detection
  Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien urges women aged 50-74 to use free BreastScreen Victoria services, improving early detection, reversing post-pandemic screening declines, and saving lives.
• Martin Cameron slams Labor’s delayed Loy Yang rehabilitation plan, calling it tone-deaf and ignoring immediate Latrobe Valley job losses
  Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s delayed Loy Yang rehabilitation plan, calling it tone-deaf, failing to provide immediate jobs or industry support for the Latrobe Valley amid coal power closures.
• Darren Chester honours all who served, remembering lives lost, wounded, and the enduring impact on Darwin’s community
  Australia marks Bombing of Darwin Day on February 19, honouring more than 240 killed in 1942 and recognising wartime sacrifice, resilience, and the ongoing need to properly resource Defence personnel.
• Darren Chester joins East Gippsland community to honour fallen Victoria police officers on Remembrance Day
  Darren Chester joined the East Gippsland community for National Police Remembrance Day in Bairnsdale, honouring Victoria Police officers who lost their lives and recognising those who continue to serve.
• Melina Bath warns neighbourhood houses face financial strain, risking essential services due to stagnant government funding
  Hundreds rallied at Victoria Parliament urging Allan government to provide funding certainty for neighbourhood houses, protecting essential community services supporting vulnerable residents and preventing closures.
• West Gippsland CMA celebrates 25 years of sustainable irrigation, transforming Gippsland farms, saving water and protecting local waterways
  West Gippsland CMA's Sustainable Irrigation Program celebrates 25 years, with 1,200 projects saving 47 gigalitres annually, enhancing farm productivity, protecting waterways, and expanding beyond the Macalister Irrigation District.
• Melina Bath condemns Allan government, warns emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped
  Melina Bath condemned the Allan Government for misleading regional Victorians, warning the emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped, and calling for its full abolition to protect farmers and communities.
• Noojee chosen for Healthy Forest Plans Pilot with $4M funding to boost tourism and local economy
  Baw Baw Shire welcomes Noojee’s $4 million Healthy Forest Plans Pilot funding, part of a $30 million Victorian government initiative to boost regional tourism, support economic transition, and create local jobs.
• Nature positive farming field day, sustainable practices, carbon insights, and soil management at Malabar farm
  Join Jenny and Paul O'Sullivan at Malabar Farm on 20 November 2025 for a free Nature Positive Farming field day, exploring sustainable practices, greenhouse gas estimation, soil carbon, and carbon farming benefits.
• CFA faces critical staffing shortages in Gippsland as Labor government fails to act before dangerous fire season
  A new report reveals serious CFA staffing shortages in Gippsland, with vacancies, fatigue, and leadership gaps risking slower responses this dangerous fire season. Labor must act urgently.
• Melina Bath says Labor’s energy transition mismanagement is driving higher prices and household cost-of-living pressures
  Eastern Victorian households face rising electricity and gas prices, with ABS data showing sharp increases and Labor blamed for mismanaging the energy transition.
• Applications open for 2026 South Coast Community Leadership Program Supporting Local Skills Development until 13 February 2026
  Applications are open for the free 2026 South Coast Community Leadership Program, helping locals build skills, connect with peers, and positively impact Bass Coast and South Gippsland communities. Apply by February 13.
• Tim Bull says East Gippsland faces a housing crisis, with social homes declining despite population growth
  Victoria’s social housing crisis deepens as Labor policies drive rental providers away, reducing stock. Tim Bull warns record waiting lists and rising homelessness demand urgent government action.
• Michelle Garvan of Lakes Entrance honoured with national medals for outstanding dedication and service to community safety
  Six Victorian lifesavers have been awarded National Medals, recognising 15-25 years of dedicated volunteer service protecting the community and ensuring public safety in Australian waterways.
• Latrobe Valley still waiting for Commonwealth Games Legacy Housing, four years after Labor promise
  Regional Victorians miss hosting Commonwealth Games athletes as promised Morwell legacy housing remains unbuilt. Nationals MPs Martin Cameron and Melina Bath criticize Allan Labor government’s broken promises amid worsening public housing crisis.