Drought relief
Roma BRITNELL (South-West Coast) (09:46): I rise today to express my deep disappointment in the Allan Labor government’s drought relief response. After two years of crippling dry conditions in south-west Victoria, the government’s drought package is simply too little. The government seems to believe that setting up a taskforce and making some announcements will fix the problem. The round tables and meetings have produced no meaningful difference to farmers who have been suffering and are suffering right now. We have no freight rebates like other regions and no consideration for hobby farmers. A discount on rates will be hitting farmers’ mailboxes only now, and the emergency services is next year. We hear this week that CFA volunteers face a complicated process to claim the promised rebate for the emergency services tax: on top of their CFA verification, volunteers must register on a government portal, provide additional information and consent to data sharing with various parties. I mean, how much harder does it have to be? Recent rains have been welcomed, but feed for animals does not grow overnight. Feed is what farmers need now. The Victorian Farmers Federation has rightly called this package inadequate. Our farmers deserve real support, not delayed announcements and empty promises. Need for Feed is bringing trucks of hay from Western Australia as we speak. Government can get behind these practical actions if they truly want to make a difference. I urge the government to expand financial assistance. Our farmers feed Victoria, and they deserve better.