The Andrews Labor Government has abandoned Victorian grain growers by refusing to stand with them against China’s 80 per cent tariff on Australian barley. The tariff comes after many grain growers have nearly completed their sowing program for this year. The Liberal Nationals have called for action to strengthen Victoria’s economic base as part of…
Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes has failed to guarantee the job security of soil scientists at AgriBio and groundwater and salinity research staff in Bendigo. Today in Question Time, Minister Symes dodged questions about the rumoured jobs cuts from Agriculture Victoria. The Minister’s refusal of ongoing support to these important functions is risking Victoria’s ability to…
The Andrews Government should be investing more in agriculture research and development, not axing jobs. On Friday, it was revealed 49 jobs across Agriculture Victoria’s research centres would be cut. Asked to explain the job cuts in State Parliament, Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes arrogantly attempted to wash her hands of responsibility, blaming “organisational change”. Even…
Daniel Andrews’ betrayal of regional Victoria continues today with revelations of shock job cuts at Agriculture Victoria. Just 24 hours after revealing his disastrous plan to shut down Victoria’s native timber industry, the arrogant Premier for Melbourne has swung the axe again. This time it’s 50 talented front-line researchers at sites across Victoria and the…
Wednesday 16 October 2019 The Andrews Labor Government has teamed up with the Greens and Animal Justice Party to vote against stronger penalties for people trespassing on Victorian farms. Parliament’s Legislative Council today voted on the Crimes Amendment (Trespass) Bill 2019, which set out a new offence of ‘aggravated’ trespass with increased penalties and…
Wednesday 16 October 2019 Regional communities will expect the new Commissioner to be frank and fearless with his advice to the Andrews Government. Labor may have put him on the payroll but at the end of the day it’s taxpayers’ dollars and Mr Tuohey’s job is to stand up for our regional communities. Labor’s…
Wednesday 2 October 2019 Daniel Andrews’ latest drought response is underwhelming and fails to deliver the genuine relief measures farmers have been calling for. Our drought-affected communities are desperate for action from the Premier and it’s disappointing that what he’s turned up with today still falls well short of expectations. Drought, combined with high…
Tuesday 1 October 2019 Changes to the kangaroo pet food program announced today by the Andrews Labor Government risk tangling farmers, professional shooters and pet food processors up in red tape. After five years of delayed extensions and uncertainty under Daniel Andrews, the permanent program, which starts today, will not allow kangaroos controlled with…
Victoria’s Landcare networks could be forced to lay off their facilitators next year after the Andrews Labor Government failed to fund the positions. The news comes as Landcare marks its 30th anniversary as a national organisation this week. Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said The Nationals and Liberals first…
The Andrews Labor Government still is not listening to farmers across the Murray Plains electorate and is missing another opportunity to employ dedicated frontline police officers to tackle rural crime. The Andrews Government announced the Farm Crime Co-ordination Unit this week, but despite Labor’s claim it has created 70 new positions, in reality it has…
