Drought
Richard RIORDAN (Polwarth) (09:49): The drought taskforce set up by the Premier clearly puts the responsibility of a positive, active drought response on the shoulders of our Premier. The Premier has been to my electorate once – without meeting with local councillors, without meeting with local community leaders – to talk about the drought. The government again convened a meeting in Shepparton last week, and again very little was delivered to the desperate farmers of south-west Victoria. I call on the Premier to absolutely stake a plan to the public to make it clear what the support is and what the mechanism is that is going to make sure that the agricultural industries across south-west Victoria will be here next year. There needs to be a plan of financial support and assistance not only just now for media but for the future of communities and families right across south-west Victoria. They are meeting again this week. I call on the Premier to make sure there is a clear plan.