“Despite calls from myself, Richard Riordan MP and Roma Britnell MP, there is still deadly silence from the Allan Labor Government when it comes to assistance for our local farmers,” said Mr Tehan.
“The Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan must come out today and let us know whether she is going to provide assistance or not. Her silence has gone on for far too long.”
Mr Tehan highlighted the growing hardship faced by local farming communities.
“The need for assistance in south-west Victoria is urgent,” he said.
A failed spring followed by a failed autumn has hit local communities hard. Farmers are struggling as feed becomes not only more expensive but increasingly scarce. Families who rely on the land are under immense pressure.
“Farmers are telling me that they’ve never experienced such a prolonged dry period,” said Mr Tehan. “Rainfall is at record lows, and the long-term forecasts offer little hope for improvement.”
He pointed to the $73 million support package provided by the South Australian government as a model, stressing that without similar assistance, Victorian farmers and rural towns risk significant social and economic decline.
“The Allan Labor Government’s response shows just how out of touch they are with the real challenges facing our local farming communities,” said Mr Tehan. “Offering $5,000 grants for water troughs is meaningless when the dams are dry and there’s no water to fill them. Farmers are being forced to cart water just to keep their stock alive.
“Once again, our city-centric State Government has shown a lack of understanding of the realities facing regional Victoria. What our communities need isn't new infrastructure—they need urgent support to truck in feed and water. Without rain, they can’t survive without real, practical help.”
Food and fibre producers in the south west are the backbone of the local economy—and their work is essential to the nation’s food security. Without immediate support, entire communities risk being pushed to the brink.
“As their counterparts in South Australian have done, the Victorian Labor Government need to act,” said Mr Tehan.
“Our farmers need immediate support, and we must also plan for the future by tapping into National Water Grid funding to secure long-term water solutions for our region,” he said.
The Albanese Labor Government has not announced any additional support measures for southwest Victoria.
The former Coalition government established the $5 billion future drought fund (FDF) in 2019. Through the FDF, the Coalition introduced several major programs that are still available to drought affected communities.
