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27th Annual Victorian State Bottles & Collectables ShowThe Bracks Government has again ignored the plight of drought affected farmers in the 2005-06 State Budget, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Philip Davis said today. By Philip Davis - 4th May 2005 - Back to News Mr Davis said there was no reference to the drought in today’s Budget.
Treasurer John Brumby has missed an opportunity to assist farmers by re-funding the state drought aid program which was previously abolished by the Minister for Agriculture Bob Cameron.
"The Bracks Government has chosen to ignore this drought and the massive impact it is having on Victoria’s primary industries," he said.
"In a trend of Labor neglect, Bob Cameron first cancelled the state drought assistance program and then failed to support a new integrated government program on Exceptional Circumstances reform last month at the Primary Industries Ministerial Council in Darwin.
"Drought affected farmers are clearly not on Steve Bracks, John Brumby or Bob Cameron’s radar."
Mr Davis said unlike the Bracks Government, the Federal Government has acknowledged the plight of drought stricken farmers and today announced interim Federal drought support for the Northern Wimmera region.
This support will be much appreciated, particularly given recent figures released by the Bureau of Meteorology which show Victoria is experiencing its second driest start to the year on record, with the average temperature for the January to April period 1.14C above average.
Meteorologists are not predicting a break in the drought any time soon.
"Farmers are bracing themselves for yet another dry winter," Mr Davis said.
"But they have been completely abandoned by Bob Cameron and the Bracks Government.
"It is obvious that with drought assistance being omitted from this Budget that Bob Cameron and Labor have absolutely no idea what is going on in country Victoria and don’t care.
Mr Davis congratulated Federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss for approving the Exceptional Circumstances application so quickly, despite having to wait three months to receive all the relevant information from the Bracks Government.
"Victoria’s Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron submitted a preliminary application in January, but certainly took his time in submitting the further information that was needed for the revised application," Mr Davis said.
"Bob Cameron’s tardiness in this case sums up his attitude towards drought affected farmers across the state – he is a Labor Minister first and a Agriculture Minister second."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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