Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Eastern Victoria Region

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (13:01): (1785) My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, and it relates to a survey of farmers that has been conducted in my Eastern Victoria Region. The question I ask the minister is: will you advocate to the Treasurer to scrap the tax? The results are in: after an extensive survey 95 per cent are concerned or very concerned about the emergency services levy, 95 per cent are concerned or very concerned about new taxes, 96 per cent are concerned about road and freight and 88 per cent are very concerned about the energy costs that they have to implement. One East Gippsland farmer says:

I can’t afford any new taxes or higher power costs.

Another one in East Gippsland said:

I can’t afford any new taxes …

The other one in West Gippsland that I will refer to is:

The new levy is unfair and unaffordable. Most farmland is mortgaged, and the value of land does not have any bearing on our ability to earn an income.

Minister, will you scrap the tax?

Sitting suspended 1:02 pm until 2:02 pm.