Immediate action must be taken to protect Victoria’s poultry industry and regional communities after it a Victorian fox was the state’s first recorded case of H5 bird flu found in a mammal. The confirmation is a serious new development that could have significant ramifications for other species in Victoria with authorities also investigating a suspected…
The Liberals and Nationals are set to give Victorian agriculture a fresh start, backing farmers, protecting productive farmland and rebuilding the roads and infrastructure our agricultural industries rely on. A new Victorian Farmers Federation survey of more than 1,000 farmers has highlighted the need for change, with nine in 10 saying they have lost faith…
The Nationals will cancel the Carroll Labor Government’s VNI West transmission project, delivering certainty to regional farmers and communities who have spent years fighting to protect their land. VNI West does not stack up, has no social licence in the communities it impacts, and will be cancelled. The Nationals remain committed to reviewing the entire…
Agriculture is not just another land use. Our farmers grow our food, support our regional economies and underpin communities right across Victoria. But under Labor farmland is seen as vacant land ripe for development. Under Labor, productive farmland and property rights are under increasing pressure from poorly planned development, transmission infrastructure, renewable energy projects, mining…
I move: That I introduce a bill for an act to amend the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Environment Effects Act 1978 in relation to agricultural land and for other purposes. Victoria is Australia’s largest agriculture-producing state, accounting for approximately 28 per cent of Australia’s gross value of agricultural production, with a farmgate…
The Liberals and Nationals have today introduced a private members bill in the Victorian Parliament to protect the state’s most strategic agricultural land from being permanently lost to poorly considered development. Shadow Minister for Agriculture Emma Kealy said the Planning and Environment Amendment (Agricultural Land and Food Security) Bill 2026 would ensure agriculture is finally…
The Carroll Labor Government’s H5 vaccination plan has prioritised tourism over wildlife and food production, focusing only on penguins at two tourist attractions. Today’s announcement that 5000 penguins will be vaccinated covers only the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and the St Kilda Penguin Colony, both major tourism drawcards. The announcement completely ignores poultry and threatened…
The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, is encouraging the community to be aware of the signs of H5 bird flu after a case was detected in Hamilton. The case is one of 60 confirmed in Victoria in the past two weeks among wild birds, but the virus can affect any bird species. Ms Kealy,…
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…
One of Ben Carroll’s first acts as Premier has been to fine farmers for protecting their own land, livestock and livelihoods. Twelve farmers opposing VNI West have reportedly been issued $814 fines for refusing VicGrid access to their properties. Deputy Leader of The Nationals and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said it was a cruel…
