Media Releases

The Brumby Government is more focused on self promotion and media spin than on real action to control the impending locust disaster facing Victoria, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said.
“John Brumby has ignored expert advice to ensure sufficient chemical supply is available to control locusts in spring and instead has embarked on a shameless $2 million self-promoting advertising campaign to tell farmers about a threat they already know of,” Mr Walsh said.
“The Premier is more interested in taxpayer funded self-promotion than controlling the impending locust threat.
“This $2 million would be far better spent on chemicals and biological products for those on the ground who will be trying to protect the state from this impending plague.
“John Brumby must confirm to Victorian farmers whether this advertising money has been stripped from the $43.5 million allocated to fighting the locusts.”
Mr Walsh said the supply of some locust control products to fight the threat was extremely limited.
“The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition warned John Brumby months ago of this impending disaster, but his response has been delayed and inadequate and now we are seeing shameless self-promotion while the supply of control products to fight the risk runs dangerously low,” Mr Walsh said.
“The only control product that can be used by organic food producers has primarily sold out and no new stock of Green Guard will be available until mid to late October.
“This has left many organic producers desperate for a product suitable for their properties.
“The government is talking tough that farmers will be prosecuted if they don’t spray locust hatchings, but many organic producers are finding that they can only access spray that will, in effect, destroy their farms’ accreditation and their livelihoods.
“John Brumby announced a so-called war on locusts in June. It is now his responsibility to guarantee sufficient chemical and biological product supply is available and outline his plan to increase the availability of Green Guard for these producers, otherwise his advertising blitz will have a hollow ring,” Mr Walsh said.