Farmers: Budget hits and misses

Victoria’s

peak farming group has described the 2020-21 State Budget as representing a ‘mixed bag’ with ‘a number big-ticket items supported and others left in the lurch’.

Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke, who farms north of Horsham, said farmers and regional Victoria were big winners with substantial investment into regional connectivity, agriculture skills and agri-food research.

“$300-million to address regional telecommunication blackspots in populated areas is a step in the right direction for regional Victoria,” he said.

“The next step will be to expand this investment statewide to ensure universal access to critical telecommunication and infrastructure capable of delivering for regional Victorians.

“We are pleased to see significant investment in research and skills through the $2-billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund and the Agricultural College Modernisation Program.

“It’s vital we educate and equip the next generation of farmers with the skills and opportunities to support our growing agricultural industry.”

Mr Jochinke said while any investment into agriculture was welcome, it was ‘extremely’ disappointing major rail projects required to transport produce from paddock to port continued to be the subject of neglect.

“We’re still no clearer on whether the incredibly important Murray Basin Rail Project will be finished as originally planned back in 2016,” he said.

“At a time when regional Victoria is crying out for investment to help lift us out of recession, the fact is billions are being spent on metropolitan rail projects, while the Murray Basin Rail Project enters its fifth year of uncertainty.

“We are also disappointed the government has failed to secure access for Victorian farmers to an On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme by matching federal funding.

“We hope the Victorian government finds the cash to assist farmers to invest in drought-proofing water infrastructure.”

Mr Jochinke said the VFF was, however, delighted that some of its priority projects had attracted budget funding.

These included: $30-million for an Agriculture Energy Investment Fund; funding to support Victoria’s agricultural exporters; funding to address regional telecommunication blackspots; funding to assess regional Victoria’s agriculture industry skill needs; and increased funding for fuel-reduction programs, including $5-million for roadside activities.