Tuesday 10 September 2019
The Premier for Melbourne has been to China more times than he’s been to Victoria’s drought affected communities.
Since becoming Premier, Daniel Andrews has made at least nine overseas trips but has only been to see drought-affected farmers once, at Birchip in 2015.
Asked by Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh today why he continues to ignore requests from drought stricken farmers around the State, the Premier would only say the Government was “monitoring” the conditions.
“Victorian farmers want to be heard and they want the Premier to make the effort to come and see first-hand how the drought is impacting their families and their businesses,” Mr Walsh said.
“Daniel Andrews is missing-in-action while farmers in the Millewa endure their second failed season and farmers in northern Victoria and East Gippsland continue to suffer the impacts of drought.”
Today in Parliament, Mr Walsh also pressured the Premier to listen to farmers’ calls for subsidies on water charges and shire rates.
“The Andrews Government has stalled for months saying it’s monitoring and looking at assistance options but farmers have been loud and clear about one thing they do want, and that’s farm rates relief,” Mr Walsh said.
“We can’t make it rain, but rates relief is a simple and fair way to take some of the pressure off.
“With another rates instalment due later this month, the Andrews Labor Government must get cracking and start delivering the relief our farmers are asking for.”
