September 12, 2008
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has accused the Government of ignoring the plight of Gippsland farmers after sending 50 unanswered letters to the Minister for Agriculture.
Mr Chester said he had made representations to the Minister on behalf of 50 farmers who had contacted his office since the Minister announced Exceptional Circumstances funding would cease on September 30, 2008.
In addition to the letters from Mr Chester’s office, there have been several submissions made directly to the National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC), which made the original recommendation to the Minister to cease drought funding for Gippsland.
“I’m concerned that the Minister and NRAC have both failed to understand the urgency of the situation despite my letters, phone calls and submissions from Local Government and the community,” Mr Chester said.
“NRAC has failed to properly investigate conditions across Gippsland and the Minster has blindly accepted their advice in the face of overwhelming commentary from people bearing the brunt of this drought.
“When Parliament resumes next week I will seek further opportunities to make the Government review its decision and provide continued support for drought affected Gippslanders.”
Mr Chester took the opportunity to raise the issue during his first week in Parliament and has and invited both NRAC and the Minster to visit Gippsland as soon as possible.
Mr Chester has also written to State Agriculture Minister Joe Helper seeking his support to extend the subsidy which was formerly available to assist drought affected farmers to pay their Shire rates.
“Drought affected farmers could formerly receive a rebate when they paid their Shire rates but the State Government has ended that program as well,” Mr Chester said.
“Both the State and Federal Labor Governments have deserted Gippsland farmers in their time of need,” Mr Chester said.