Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), Media Release, 6 May 2026

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has labelled AusNet’s application for compulsory land acquisition powers for the Western Renewables Link (WRL) as a disgrace, warning it represents a huge escalation in pressure tactics against regional landholders. 

VFF Acting President Peter Star said the move enabled by recent changes to the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic) would effectively allow a major transmission project to lock in coercive powers, before it has been properly assessed and approved. 

“This is a deeply concerning step and the government should reject it outright.” 

“This project has an appalling track record of bullying and harassing landholders. Handing them a bigger stick would be an endorsement of that behavior and smacks of arrogance and a total disregard towards the mental health of these people.” 

“Communities are still engaged in the environmental assessment process in good faith, yet they are now being told that compulsory acquisition could be triggered before that process is even finished. That would be a huge mistake and to be honest, an absolute disgrace.” 

“This mess is completely at the foot at the government and now it’s up to them to fix it,” Mr Star said. 

The VFF said the approach would set a dangerous precedent and a ‘coercion-first, approval-later’, model for major infrastructure projects in Victoria. 

“Let’s be absolutely clear this is about forcing a project through before it has cleared its own planning hurdles, while simultaneously increasing pressure on landholders to sign away their rights.” 

“That is an appalling way to treat people who are being asked to host critical infrastructure on their land,” Mr Star said. 

While AusNet has maintained that voluntary agreements remain its preferred approach, the VFF said the reality on the ground is fundamentally altered once compulsory acquisition powers enter the equation. 

“You cannot seriously claim a process is voluntary when one party is applying for the legal power to take the land anyway.” 

“That completely undermines consent and is a slap in the face to every landholder.” 

“There’s no two ways about this. The Victorian Government must immediately reject the application.” 

“Anything other will totally enrage rural communities that to be honest have lost total faith that they matter in the face of these mega-projects.”   

“This must be stopped before it becomes the new standard for how communities are treated across Victoria,” Mr Star said.