August 31, 2008
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester says farming families in Gippsland must unite to fight the Federal Government’s decision to end Exceptional Circumstances drought support.
After a tour of some of the worst affected areas in the Tambo Valley, Omeo and Benambra, Mr Chester said the National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) and the Federal Minister for Agriculture Tony Burke owed Gippslanders an explanation.
“They should come to Gippsland and explain how they reached the decision to remove Exceptional Circumstances funding at a time when many farming families are worse off than they were 12 months ago,” Mr Chester said.
“In many parts of our region, farmers are reporting lower rainfall than the previous 12 months when the Exceptional Circumstances provisions were rolled over by The Nationals as part of the Coalition Government.
“I have already made representations to the Minister and I had the opportunity to raise the issue in Federal Parliament during my first sitting week. I will continue to pressure the Minister and I urge the entire farming community to support the VFF, local shires and community representatives in their bid to have this decision reversed.”
Mr Chester said some parts of Gippsland were showing strong signs of recovery but the green tinge to dryland areas should not be mistaken for the end of the drought.
“It is very positive to see the districts which are doing well but the rainfall deficit in large parts of Gippsland is still causing enormous concern,” Mr Chester said.
“In the Omeo-Benambra region and further down the Tambo Valley, we have dams which are almost dry at the start of spring. Providing water for stock is going to be impossible unless they get some decent rain.”
Mr Chester said he had reports from across the region of farmers hand feeding for several months to make up for the lack of feed.
“It is a constant drain on finances and human resources and I can’t understand how NRAC and the Minister for Agriculture have reached their conclusion that Gippsland is recovering from the drought,” he said.
“As I told Federal Parliament during the week, Gippsland farmers are a remarkably resilient bunch and they’re not prone to exaggeration, nor are they likely to put their hand up for help, unless they really need it and genuinely believe they are entitled to assistance.
“Since the announcement was made by the Minister, my office has been contacted by farmers who are bewildered by the decision – they are still experiencing a significant rainfall deficit compared to normal years.
“They are reporting conditions which are as severe as anything they have experienced in decades on the land.
“There is no sign of recovery and they are still faced with the exceptional circumstance of a prolonged drought.”