Hansard: Drought: Government Assistance

Title Drought: government assistance
House COUNCIL
Activity Adjournment
Members KAVANAGH
Date 10 March 2010

Mr KAVANAGH (Western Victoria) -- My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Helper, and it relates to his recent decision to end drought assistance for the inland parts of south-western Victoria. I have been approached by south-western farmers who tell me that on farms in the inland parts of south-western Victoria, as distinct from the coast, which is very much better, they are still very badly affected by the lack of spring rains last year, which has dramatically reduced their crops. The result is that some farmers are not even attempting to harvest most of their acreage, which is obviously to their very great cost.
I add my voice to the representations made by the local member in the other place, Mr Delahunty.
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The action I seek from the minister is to urgently reconsider his decision to end drought relief for the non-coastal parts of south-western Victoria and to reinstitute drought relief which is very much needed by many farmers in the south-west.