Ripon electorate
Martha HAYLETT (Ripon) (14:55): (1149) My question is for the Minister for Agriculture. Minister, how many farmers in the Ripon electorate have been supported by our government’s drought package? I was pleased to see the recent expansion of the package to help more farmers and communities over winter, including primary producers in the Northern Grampians, Hepburn and Ballarat local government areas. So many farmers are hurting right now, with bone-dry paddocks, hungry livestock and feed and freight costs through the roof. Many tell me they have never seen conditions so bad, with recent bushfires and floods across our region compounding these effects. Farmers in drought-declared areas will be exempt from paying the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, to give some much-needed relief at such a hard time, but many farmers across Ripon have contacted me about what more we can do to support them. I look forward to providing them with the minister’s response and continuing to advocate on their behalf for more drought support during this difficult time.
David Hodgett: On a point of order, Speaker, I wish to draw to your attention an outstanding constituency question, 1014. It was asked to the Minister for Police on 4 March, and a response was due on 3 April. The minister was at the table at the time I asked the question. I ask you to draw it to his attention to get a response, please.