The Member for Benambra, Bill Tilley says drought affected farmers are desperate for meaningful help not a scheme to share the cost of hay sheds and poly pipes following the Victorian government’s announcement of an expanded drought assistance package and a 12-month pause on Emergency Services Levy (ESL) increases for primary producers.
Last Wednesday in the Victorian Parliament, Mr Tilley called for Indigo Shire to be added to the local government areas that can access the Victorian government’s drought package. Two weeks ago, he successfully lobbied for Towong to be placed on the list.
“The package released by the Victorian government however is limited to a co-contribution scheme for drought measures and infrastructure such as irrigation and shedding,” he said.
“Farmers are saying they need financial assistance to cover the cost of feed, fodder and transport as they face the prospect of feeding out for the entire winter.
“Rain in the past week will do little for crops or livestock with the onset of colder weather.
“As the package stands now it’s a co-contribution for hay sheds or poly pipe up to $5000.
“What our farmers need is financial assistance to buy and transport feed and fodder and in some instances they need water.
“Farmers across the district are struggling and paying exorbitant transport costs, in one instance $5,500, to bring in fodder from interstate.
“Some in the Rutherglen area are unable to differentiate between their cropping and grazing paddocks as their properties have become dustbowls.”
Statement on updated drought package
Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, said the updated drought support package is too little, too late.
The announcement follows a week of intense pressure on the government in parliament, where the Liberal Party moved a motion calling for increased drought assistance that passed unanimously.
“Numerous members raised concerns about the level of drought assistance and joined my call for the Victorian government to extend the support package to all municipalities in the Northern Victoria region,” Ms Lovell said.
“The package will offer some assistance for water cartage and will extend support to all farmers statewide but it will not provide any direct financial assistance for feed or fodder delivery, nor subsidise water supply for agricultural purposes.”
“Prolonged protests by CFA volunteers and farmers have forced the government to accept that tripling the emergency services tax on farmers is cruel and heartless but they had to be dragged kicking and screaming to this backflip and the pause on the tax increase will not last forever.
“The current support package, which requires farmers to make a co-contribution toward on-farm infrastructure for water and grain storage, is a package to prepare for future droughts but farmers need support for this drought.
“I will keep fighting to scrap the tax for good and to get substantial direct assistance to farmers in need right now,” Ms Lovell vowed.
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has cautiously welcomed the expanded package but says it will only make a difference if the support actually reaches those who need it most.
“The government needs to start listening earlier, not months down the track when frustration boils over,” said VFF president, Brett Hosking.
“Drought recovery is a long-term process and requires sustained investment beyond seasonal headlines.
“Even if we get rain tomorrow, the financial and emotional scars of drought last for years. We need enduring support, not one-off fixes.
“The VFF will continue advocating through the newly formed Drought Response Taskforce and will keep pushing for practical, farmer-informed solutions that reflect the reality on the ground.
This article appeared in Corryong Courier, 5 June 2025.