From my desk - with Federal MP Dan Tehan
I'm incredibly honoured to have been re-elected as the Member for Wannon. I remain as committed as ever to being your strong voice in Canberra—fighting for the issues that matter to you and making sure your concerns are heard.
The election result was never about just one person. More than 1,700 volunteers helped power my campaign—putting up corflutes and banners, knocking on doors, letterboxing and working tirelessly across 84 polling booths. Their time, energy and unwavering belief in the electorate created a momentum that carried us to victory. A huge and heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped.
In response to strong pressure from firefighters, farmers, local councils, and state and federal politicians across Victoria, Ros Spence, Victoria’s Minister for Agriculture, finally visited drought-stricken farmers near Colac and Warrnambool last Friday, after many months of ignoring our calls to come, witness first-hand and fully comprehend the devastation of this drought.
Shortly after, the Allan State Labor Government announced that farmers in 24 drought-impacted local government areas would pay a reduced Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) contribution – capped to the same amount they paid in 2024-25. This will be extended to all primary production properties, meaning the ESVF variable rate on primary production properties will remain at 28.7—the same as it was in 2024-25—for the duration of the 2025-26 financial year.
In short, this unfair levy increase—that has so angered our farming and emergency services communities—will be paused for one year.
Make no mistake. This is just a delay tactic. An even harsher hike will almost certainly be imposed next year to allow the Victorian State Labor Government to claw back the revenue they planned to raise from the increase this year, placing an ongoing burden on our farmers, year after year.
This temporary reprieve also fails to address the core issue; the levy is fundamentally unfair. Why should our farmers—many of whom volunteer for the CFA and risk their lives to protect their communities—foot the bill for the State Governments’ budget blowouts on the Suburban Rail Loop and other costly infrastructure projects?
The message to Premier Allan is clear: this levy increase shouldn’t just be delayed—it must be scrapped for good. I’ll work closely with Roma Britnell, Member for South-West Coast, Richard Riordan, Member for Polwarth, local councils and the community over the coming year to make that case. Many of our farmers are already buckling under the financial stress of this drought. For their peace of mind, and to give them a chance to rebuild, they need the certainty that this levy increase is gone for good.
In terms of the State Government’s promise last weekend to deliver a further package of support to farmers – informed by a Drought Response Taskforce – it must match the scale of the crisis our farmers are facing. The efforts so far aren't going to cut it when many farmers are paying tens of thousands of dollars a week to feed and water livestock. We must continue to apply pressure.
If you’d like to discuss any issues affecting you, your family or business in Wannon, please contact me on T| 1300 131 692 or E| dan.tehan.mp@aph.gov.au.
ENDS
Published in the Hamilton Spectator
