Premier Jacinta Allan has delivered another hammer blow to producers and regional communities, refusing to reverse a March decision to strip them of their right to appeal.
Producers impacted by renewable energy projects can no longer turn to VCAT, the equivalent of the third umpire, for justice amid fast-tracked solar, wind turbines, batteries and transmission lines.
They have no say on what happens on their own private land, but the Allan Labor Government refuses to budge.
Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh, in Question Time today, directly asked the Premier: “Given the Premier won’t speak directly to these farmers, will she restore their rights of appeal to VCAT about the planning decisions that affect them?”
Premier Allan avoided a straight answer before finally responding: “The Government will not be changing its position on that matter”.
Mr Walsh said the Premier constantly says she regularly engages and listens, yet those affected could not be protesting any louder.
“The Premier has refused to give their right of appeal back,” Mr Walsh said.
“Regional Victorians have lost their right to say no to these projects as the Allan Labor Government steamroll renewable projects across the landscape.”
The Premier refused to meet and talk to hundreds of concerned producers, business people and families at a Bendigo rally on Friday, instead leaving a Rural Press Club lunch out the back door.
“Farmers had hoped the Premier would listen to them. Instead, she hid inside and spoke about them,” Mr Walsh told Parliament.
