VFF: State follow lead

V“Agriculture has proven its resilience and it’s pleasing to see this support as we continue to play a major role in our COVID-19 economic fightback” – Emma Germano

ictoria’s peak farming body has urged the State Government to follow a Federal Government lead and announce significant investment for agriculture in tomorrow’s State Budget.

Victorian Farmers Federation made the call while welcoming details outlined in last week’s Federal Budget.

VFF president Emma Germano said the Federal Budget provided mostly good news for farmers with important investments in soil health, trade, biosecurity, infrastructure and farm businesses.

“It’s a step in the right direction after a tough 12 months,” she said.

“Agriculture has proven its resilience and it’s pleasing to see this support as we continue to play a major role in our COVID-19 economic fightback.”

Ms Germano said continuing an instant asset write-off to June 2023 was a proven winner for agriculture.

“Farmers will also welcome the $25-million in funding for the extension of the popular on-farm emergency water scheme. But for farmers to benefit the Victorian government must match the federal funding,” she said.

“The $2-billion dollar commitment for a new Melbourne Intermodal

Terminal and $17.5-million for Dairy Supply Chain roads and other road investments in Victoria will help upgrade and modernise our critical freight supply chains.”

Ms Germano said it was now the state’s turn to ‘come to the party’.

“Victorian agriculture is responsible for a quarter of all exports, employs more than 87,000 people and delivers a huge $13-billion to our economy,” she said.

“We are a major economic contributor and it’s long overdue we received our fair share.

“While federal roads funding is welcome to help fix our crumbling roads, ultimately we need a significant commitment from the state.

“The VFF is calling for a minimum of $650-million in the budget over the next four years for regional road-asset maintenance and a further $200-million to reintroduce the Fixing Country Roads Program.”