The Allan Labor Government's drought announcement fails to deliver the immediate support farmers have been calling for and desperately need.
While doubling drought resilience infrastructure grants and deferring the emergency services tax on agricultural land for a year may sound helpful, it does little to provide immediate support for farmers who are at breaking point.
Delaying Labor's emergency services tax is simply delaying what is an unjustified and unfair tax on Victorian producers - whether it's drought conditions or not. The tax should be scrapped entirely.
It's disappointing that even after sitting with farmers, hearing their stories and seeing their tears, the Allan Labor Government still doesn't understand that many farmers simply don't have the available capital to build a new shed or clean out a dam that can't be filled until it rains.
The latest drought package falls short when it comes to water and fodder requirements farmers have been calling for over several months.
This is a lost opportunity and highlights the Allan Labor Government does not understand the needs of regional Victorians.
Many areas of the state currently experiencing critically low rainfall conditions are still ineligible for drought grants - a baffling oversight that leaves struggling farmers without support when they need it most.
