Media Releases
Renewables fast-track steam rolls farmers
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the Victorian Government’s fast-tracking of renewable energy projects by accelerating planning approvals is a slap in the face after years of sham consultation with farming communities. VFF President Emma Germano said the green-lighting of…
Basin Plan framework ignores environmental and community outcomes
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has slammed the Albanese Government’s draft framework to recover 450GL of additional water under the Murray Darling Basin Plan, saying it ignores impacts to Victorian farming communities and natural environments. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew…
Labor’s truck tax a blatant cash-grab
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says Labor’s new tax on truck movements at the Port of Melbourne is a blatant cash-grab and is urging the government to re-direct its focus to rail and high-capacity freight to lower its goal to…
Victorian and Tasmanian farmers call for fair land access rules
The peak representative bodies for Tasmanian and Victorian farmers have joined forces to call for fair land access rules in the face of rapid renewable energy developments taking over prime agricultural land. TasFarmers and the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) today…
Work still needed on telehandler licencing reforms
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says the proposed telehandler licensing reforms flagged by WorkSafe Victoria is a step in the right direction, but work still remains to ensure the mandatory training is accessible and affordable for Victorian farmers. VFF Infrastructure…
Farmers over 60 the target of new safety campaign
The Victorian Farmers Federation Making our Farms Safer project (VFF MOFS) is aiming to reduce the over-representation of farmers aged 60 and over from dying on Victorian farms with the release of its new handbook, Stay Farming Longer and Safer:…
Commonwealth must come clean on new Basin Plan outcomes
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says answers are needed over where the CommonwealthGovernment is intending to take water from and for what purpose following changes the MurrayDarling Basin Plan. VFF President Emma Germano has written to Commonwealth Water Minister Tanya…
Goschen sand mine development highlights broken EES process
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says farming communities are being prevented from participating in the process for assessing the environmental risk of mining and energy projects leading to bad outcomes for food production. VFF President Emma Germano said concerns raised…
Farmers must have say on new statewide transmission plan
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is encouraging farmers to help inform the Victorian Government plan for transmission development across the state. The new government agency charged with planning future transmission projects, VicGrid has released an online survey and mapping tool…
Greater protection of farmer rights needed under new transmission code
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is concerned not enough is being done to protect the rights of landholders when it comes to the development and operation of transmission lines across farmland. VFF President Emma Germano said the Essential Service Commission’s…
Government can’t hide behind supermarkets in cost-of-living spotlight
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says politicians shouldn’t use supermarkets as a smoke screen as they probe into grocery prices through the recently announced Senate inquiry. VFF President Emma Germano said whilst supermarket power and competition should be examined, so…
Victorian farming communities hung out to dry as Basin legislation passes
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says farming communities have been betrayed as the Albanese Government secured changes to the Murray Darling Basin Plan in the Senate today. VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy said the Albanese Government had trampled over…