Regional Victoria has been left wanting after the Victorian Budget largely ignored much-needed critical funding and left unanswered questions for the state’s multi-billion dollar agriculture industry.
VFF Acting President Peter Star said many in the regions would be disappointed at the lack of clarity surrounding key regional issues.
“For many this Budget will be seen to kick the can down the road during an election year.”
“Farmers and regional Victorians have been extremely vocal in their opposition to the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund Levy changes. They’ve been left in the dark as to its future and we’ll be continuing to call for it to be scrapped entirely.”
“The much-hyped $1.04 billion for road repairs and resurfacing is a step in the right direction, but fails to deliver the level of investment required to fix Victoria’s deteriorating road network.”
“The Budget has been sold as Victoria’s vision for the future, but is lacking when it comes to detail for regional Victoria.”
“The agriculture industry contributes more than $22 billion annually to the Victorian economy. The government’s $84 million investment to support farmers and agricultural industries must be dramatically increased and we need a roadmap to grow and build for the future,” Mr Star said.
The VFF welcomes:
- $5.9 million for farmer and rural mental health support, wellbeing and safety;
- $7.6 million biosecurity investment;
- $4.9 agricultural sector electrification and emissions reductions;
- $12.7 million to build more CFA fire stations;
- $75 million for the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund;
- $127 million to improve the flow of regional freight rail.
“Victorian farmers and regional Victorians are doing it extremely tough in the face of sustained drought and exploding cost pressures with ongoing overseas tensions. During this election year we’re expecting to see much more support in the months ahead.”
“Help at the farm gate eventually flows to consumers and it’s a win-win during a cost-of-living crisis to get the support to primary producers who are being forced to pass on these huge price increases,” Mr Star said.