New Federal funds could open the floodgates to Big Buffalo

Victoria must seize the opportunity to build Big Buffalo and boost water security for irrigators in the north-east after the Federal Budget delivered an unprecedented $2 billion for water infrastructure.   Labor Water Minister Lisa Neville has stubbornly refused to make the most of the Federal Liberal Nationals Government’s willingness to fund priority water projects.…

Basin Authority split a win for Victorian irrigators

The Federal Government has announced it will split the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) after a long campaign by irrigators and the Victorian Liberal Nationals. A new statutory compliance role will split the MDBA’s conflicting responsibilities by creating an Inspector-General of Water Compliance. Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said the split would help resolve…

Andrews Government must broaden drought support

The Andrews Labor Government can – and must – do more to support our drought-affected farmers. South Australia has announced it will provide immediate financial relief with a 50 per cent rebate on council rates or pastoral lease payments in 2019-20 and 2020-21 for farmers eligible for the Farm Household Allowance. In contrast, the Andrews…

Statement on Rural Assistance Commissioner

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…

Farmers need Minister to act after visit

Monday 2 September 2019   Drought-affected farmers in the Millewa must get genuine action from the Andrews Labor Government after the Minister’s visit today. The Agriculture Minister’s visit was long overdue given famers in the Millewa are staring down the barrel of a second failed season. Like farmers in other drought-affected parts of Victoria, the…