Ryan Maloney

Ryan Maloney

State-wide support needed as drought lingers

Victoria’s record-breaking drought is far from over and the VFF is warning farmers are facing mounting pressures including soaring costs, depleted pastures and plummeting farm finances that could spell increased prices at the supermarket checkout. VFF President Brett Hosking said…

Water infrastructure needed to keep tap running

We’re calling for swift action to fund and complete key water infrastructure projects needed to secure the future of critical water supplies needed for rural communities and agricultural industries in times of drought. Central to the ask includes the completion…

VNI West cost blowout must prompt rethink

We’re calling on the Victorian Government to rethink the viability of the VNI West Transmission Project after the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) revealed huge cost blowouts to the project in a report released overnight. AEMO’s 2025 Electricity Network Options Report…

Line in the land: VFF urges ‘no’ vote

This week the Victorian Parliament will vote to consider sweeping changes to the VicGrid Stage 2 Bill- a move that would grant VicGrid new powers to continue steamrolling landholders in the way of new renewable energy infrastructure across Victoria. Ahead…

Farmer rights key in energy transition future

We’ve reacted with concern following recent comments from Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, warning that the State Government’s energy transition risks alienating the very communities it needs most. While the VFF supports the shift to renewable energy, VFF President Brett Hosking…

Basin Plan Evaluation is all spin

water policy

We’ve called out the recently released 2025 Basin Plan Evaluation as it portrays a deliberately deceiving snapshot of the Murray-Darling Basin and ignores the real-world reality facing farmers and communities in the region. VFF Water Council Chair and Murrabit dairy…

Traceability key in US beef import decision

We’re reiterating calls that traceability must play a key role in protecting Australia’s livestock industry following the lifting restrictions on US beef imports to Australia. VFF President Brett Hosking said “there’s no second chance when it comes to protecting Australia’s…