Victorian Farmers Federation Critiques Drought Support Measures

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has responded to a recent announcement regarding new drought support measures, expressing that the initiative is insufficient to address the escalating challenges faced by Victorian farmers and rural communities.

Parched paddocks in the Mortlake district of Victoria, pictured late April

VFF President Brett Hosking stated that while any support is welcomed, the limited scale of the funding falls short compared to more substantial efforts in states like South Australia.

“Farmers are not asking for handouts. They seek meaningful recognition of the strain this drought is placing on their livelihoods, families, and mental health,” Mr. Hosking asserted.

He emphasized the necessity for the government to engage with farmers directly, stating, “The response so far is too narrow in scope. What is urgently needed is for the government to get out into the regions, speak directly with the farmers doing it tough, and take real action based on what they are hearing.”

The VFF has proposed several constructive suggestions to Agriculture Victoria. However, Mr. Hosking warned against introducing piecemeal initiatives without a comprehensive understanding of the broader needs of the farming sector.

“Of course, financial support is vital, but it is also about showing that people in the city understand and care about what is happening in the bush,” he added.

Mr. Hosking also highlighted that impactful changes could be made without significant costs to the government. “There are simple regulatory shifts that could make an immediate difference,” he said, “such as allowing better control of pest animals like kangaroos, or relaxing regulations to enable more high-productivity vehicles on our road networks to cart additional fodder to feed the starving animals we are seeing on farms as a result of the drought.”

“This drought is not just about dry paddocks. It is about people, families, and communities under stress. We need a more serious, coordinated response that shows farmers they are not facing this alone,” he urged.

The VFF is advocating for the Victorian Government to engage directly with regional communities and deliver drought support that accurately reflects the real needs of farmers across the state.

Victorian Government Drought Funding Announcement

On Friday, Victorian Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced an additional $15.9 million to assist more farmers and communities as winter approaches. This funding expands support to farmers in 13 more Local Government Areas (LGAs), supplementing the $13.5 million drought support package revealed in September.

Spence stated that the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program will continue for the existing 11 LGAs in southwest Victoria and expand to include West Wimmera, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Hepburn, Moorabool, Ballarat, Towong, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast, Cardinia, Baw Baw, Casey, South Gippsland, and French Island.

This drought package will also extend support to small businesses in affected LGAs through the appointment of a Small Business Financial Counsellor. Acknowledging the toll of dry conditions on farmer mental health, a new program will be available statewide to help communities support farmers under stress, funded with a $900,000 investment through the Victorian Budget 2025/26 in partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health.

Moreover, Agriculture Victoria’s farm business technical and decision-making support will also be available statewide to assist farmers in managing the challenges posed by increasingly difficult seasonal conditions.

The total direct drought support from the government now amounts to $29.4 million, alongside an investment of $10.2 million through the Future Drought Fund program and $4.1 million for the Rural Financial Counselling Service.

“Agriculture Victoria will continue to monitor conditions in the critical period leading up to spring, ensuring support reaches farmers who need it most,” the statement assured.

“This follows from the Labor Government’s announcement of partial rebates on the ESVF for farmers eligible for the infrastructure grants program in the Government’s drought support package.”

The full range of financial, technical, and wellbeing support available to drought-impacted farmers can be viewed here or by calling 136 186.

Source: VFF, Victorian Government