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Water, Timber and Farming at Risk as Greens make Play for PowerBalance of power at the November Victorian election risks rural communities losing access to water, timber and intensive farming practices. By Portal Admin - 5th August 2018 - Back to News A GREENS grab for the balance of power at the November Victorian election risks rural communities losing access to water, timber and intensive farming practices.
The Victorian Greens are demanding an end to logging in 355,000ha of Victoria's central highlands by creating the Great Forest National Park, phasing out all intensive farming and banning duck hunting, 1080 poison, leghold traps, GM crops and phasing out coal-fired power plants.
Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the Greens' "idealistic" policies clashed with the practicalities of farming, creating a wave of collateral damage that would hit all rural communities.
"It will cost us all financially, as they push for even more parks, stop us accessing GM crops and controlling wild dogs," Mr Jochinke said.
"Farmers and their rural communities will suffer."
Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam said growing support had the party on track to hold the balance of power.
"It's going to be a close election and so many Victorians are planning to vote Greens for the first time, particularly in seats like Brunswick and Richmond (plus three existing seats)," Ms Ratnam said. "We also came close to winning Northern Victoria and Western Victoria (in the Upper House) at the last election and have excellent candidates running this time."
Ms Ratnam confirmed the party would pursue a moratorium on new GM crops and a probe into existing ones, a ban on 1080 poison and the expansion of marine parks.
Opinion polls show Daniel Andrews' Labor Government clinging to a razor-thin margin over the Liberal-Nationals Coalition, dramatically increasing the risk of Labor relying on the Greens to form government after the election.
Mr Andrews and Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford ruled out forming a Coalition with the Greens.
"Absolutely not. We're presenting ourself to the Victorian community promising to get things done, make Victoria fairer and we certainly aren't doing any deals with the Greens," Ms Pulford said.
But Victorian Nationals Leader Peter Walsh said he did not believe the Premier, given at least a third of Labor's MPs relied on Greens preferences to win their seats in 2014.
"We (the Nationals-Liberal Coalition) don't think Labor can win enough seats to govern in their own right, given they will lose at least two to three seats," Mr Walsh said.
"History proves Labor will deal with the Greens, especially if it means forming government.
"I tell people not to be concerned, but very, very afraid of what that would mean."
Labor already holds on by the slimmest of margins, with just 45 seats in Parliament's 88-seat Lower House.
Monash University political expert Nick Economou said polls pointed to a hung parliament, although he doubted Labor and the Greens would form a formal coalition.
"What's more likely is the Tasmanian experience following the 1989 state election," Dr Economou said. "An accord was arranged between the incoming Labor government and Greens MPs which was essentially based on conservation policy.
"Both Labor and the Greens would prefer a looser arrangement than the one signed by (then PM) Julia Gillard in 2010. Both the government and the supporting minor party would want a greater degree of flexibility in the event that the Greens won three, four, maybe five seats."
Victorian Association of Forest Industries chief executive Tim Johnston said any Greens' push to establish the Great Forests National Park would have devastating consequences for the industry and Victoria's economy.
"People need to be aware that establishing a new national park has real consequences, and this will affect the lives of thousands of Victorians," Mr Johnston said.
"Overall, the timber and forest industry in Victoria is a $7.3 billion industry that employs 20,000 Victorians and supports another 40,000 to 50,000 local jobs."
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: support@gippsland.com
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Parliamentary Inquiry launched to scrutinise Victoria’s 2026 bushfire preparedness, planning, and emergency response across regional communities. - Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes highlights community collaboration survive South Gippsland's dry season challenges
Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes credits collaboration with the Inverloch Cluster and local water authorities for navigating South Gippsland's recurring dry conditions and improving farm drought resilience. - Engaging East Gippsland communities: Listening, learning and shaping council priorities across the region
Over recent weeks, council engaged East Gippsland communities through budget sessions, site visits, and consultations, supporting local projects, stormwater planning, and services while encouraging feedback and early hardship assistance. - Have your say on the draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy balance road access, submit by 28 September 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council invites feedback on its Draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy, aiming to balance vibrant business activity with safe pedestrian access. Consultation runs 29 August - 28 September on Baw Baw Connect. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s ensured failure by hastening coal plant closures without planning baseload power replacements
The Victorian Auditor-General warns a "disorderly energy transition" could cause power shortages, soaring prices, and job losses, with Labor’s accelerated coal closures and mismanaged renewable planning worsening the crisis.
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