VICTORIAN Farmers Federation president and Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke said he believed politicians of all parties were listening to the VFF’s election requests.
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Big spending on roads, safety and telecommunications, alongside council rates relief, are the among the VFF’s priorities. The VFF has also planned a series of candidate forums for the coming week.
“We do feel we are getting traction, as we’ve have had good contact with candidates in marginal seats,” Mr Jochinke said.
“We are trying to combine both our lobbying power in Melbourne, with the engaged enthusiasm of our membership.”
A $6.2 billion spend on road infrastructure upgrades was the biggest ticket item in the “Delivering for Agriculture - Growing Communities” election manifesto, launched at this year’s Ballarat conference.
The VFF has welcomed a $20 million commitment from the State Government to one of its election requests regarding skills and safety initiatives.
If re-elected, the government plans to establish a Farm Safety Council to oversee implementation of a $10m safe farming initiatives, as well as $10 million for Farm Skills Victoria.
“The announcement… is in line with one of VFF’s key election asks, which is to address the need for industry and farmer-led cultural and behavioural change when it comes to farm safety,” he said.
Other big-ticket items are $600 million to rid the state of regional telecommunications black spots, $18.3m to reduce travel times to and from critical health care, appointment of additional medical workers in rural and regional hospitals and expansion of the “Look Over the Farm Gate” program.
The VFF also put forward a pitch for $13.5 million to deliver dedicated agricultural liaison officers within Victoria Police. It’s also has called for $155m for a long-term energy plan. Other requests include $104m for ongoing biosecurity work.
“We really do expect action around rates and infrastructure, especially,” Mr Jochinke said.
“The more complicated asks, such as science based decision making, especially around thinks like animal welfare or planning, are big issues and simple election announcements don’t solve them, as they involve long term commitments to long term change.”
Andrew Miller
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
I'm a general reporter with Stock & Land, with a special interest in irrigation issues. I completed my cadetship, with the Age, in 1980. Over my career, I've worked for ABC radio news (Mt Isa, Qld) and at provincial and suburban newspapers.
