Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Emma Kealy, has urged the Allan Labor Government to refocus its priorities on supporting drought-affected farmers instead of hiring more communications advisors in Melbourne.
“Despite recent rain, many Victorian farmers remain in drought conditions. While paddocks may look green, the reality is the feed has little nutritional value, forcing producers to keep buying in hay at very high prices,” Ms Kealy said.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, rainfall so far has not been enough to turn the season around for many, with the outlook still uncertain.
“With hay costing between $300 and $450 per tonne, and livestock feed needs ranging from 1.5kg a day for a sheep to more than 10kg for a dairy cow, every dollar counts for farmers right now,” Ms Kealy said.
“Spending up to $320,000 on additional communications staff in Melbourne is disappointing when that money could have been put towards practical support – helping feed hundreds of animals for months. Labor has lost sight of the needs of the bush.”
The drought taskforce, designed to guide government response and assistance, has not met for three months.
“It’s time for the Premier and the Minister for Agriculture to reconvene the taskforce so that experts can help recalibrate the government’s response.
“Farmers, their families, and their livestock need practical help, not spin.”