A Liberals and Nationals Government will restore effective wild dog control and give farmers the tools they need to protect their livestock and livelihoods.
Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture Emma Kealy said farmers deserved practical, evidence-based wild dog management that recognised the realities of farming alongside public land.
“Farmers should be able to protect their livestock and their livelihoods,” Ms Kealy said.
“A Liberals and Nationals Government will listen to farmers and restore effective wild dog management so they are not left fighting this problem alone.”
The commitment provides a stark contrast with Labor’s approach, after a Rainbow farmer sent the State Government a $40,000 bill for sheep lost to wild dog attacks.
“Farmers warned Labor what would happen when effective controls were removed – now since the unprotection zone was removed, livestock are being mauled and killed and producers are carrying the cost,” Ms Kealy said.
“Labor made the decision, but farmers are paying the bill.
“A $40,000 loss can have a huge impact on a family farm, particularly when producers are already being hit with higher fuel, power, rates and Emergency Services Tax costs.
“After more than a decade in government, Labor still isn’t listening to regional Victorians.”
Rather than properly address an issue that is decimating Victorian farmers, the Labor Government has stripped key wild dog baiting data from its own management plans, just months after being exposed for quietly slashing ground baiting targets across eastern Victoria.
In April it was reported that ground baiting targets had been cut by up to 66 per cent across the state’s 14 wild dog management zones between 2024-25 and 2025-26.
But baiting targets for 2026-27 have now been deleted altogether, with no explanation offered.
Ms Kealy said the disappearing data was no accident, as the Carroll Labor Government was keen to avoid backlash for its reduced baiting effort.
“Farmers are watching the ground baiting effort be quietly wound back, and now Labor has simply deleted the evidence rather than answer for it,” Ms Kealy said.
Ms Kealy said a Liberals and Nationals Government would put regional Victoria back at the heart of decision-making.
“Our plan is about backing the people who produce our food and fibre, strengthening regional communities and making sure country Victorians get their fair share.
“Our Fair Share Guarantee will lock in at least 25 per cent of new infrastructure investment for regional Victoria – because the people who live, work and invest in our regions deserve a government that invests in them too.
“Whether it’s protecting livestock, fixing our roads or investing in the infrastructure our communities need, a Liberals and Nationals Government will back regional Victoria.”