Together with farmers, every step of the way This summer has brought destructive fires in Victoria and Western Australia, severe flooding across north-west Queensland, cyclones causing damage across parts of northern Australia, while drought continues to affect much of southern Australia. For many farmers, the impacts of these events will be felt long after the immediate damage is done. Rural Aid is providing assistance to farmers affected by these disasters, including financial support, mental health counselling, hay, water and hands-on assistance. This support will remain available as farmers work through the long and complex process of recovery, which can take multiple seasons or years. As a charity, Rural Aid relies on the support from the community to help to provide practical assistance like hay, water, financial relief, and counselling, while also funding volunteer farm recovery events that bring real help and real hope to communities in times of adversity. By standing with Rural Aid, you help ensure farmers get the support they need, not just in times of disaster, but throughout the long journey of recovery. Recovery doesn’t have an end date. Farmers and rural communities may still be dealing with damage, debt and emotional strain years after a fire, flood or drought. Donations from the community allow Rural Aid to keep supporting them for as long as it takes. We are calling on Australians to support farmers through the lasting impacts of disasters and the extended recovery period that follows. Your support ensures we can stay beside farming families not just through disasters, but through the long road back to stability. To donate to Rural Aid visit www.everystep.ruralaid.org.au John Warlters, Rural Aid chief executive officer Smarter ag policy, investment can supercharge Victorian economy Strategic government investment and smarter policy settings for seven key priority areas will supercharge the agriculture industry and solidify its position as a critical pillar for Victoria’s economic future. In a submission directed at the Victorian State Budget in May, the VFF is calling for support to ensure: · efficient transport and freight networks; · protection of productive farmland; · equitable access to healthcare, transport and childcare in rural areas; · stronger pest control and biosecurity; · drought preparedness and water security; · productivity-enhancing investment in skills, infrastructure and innovation; and · tougher protections against rural crime. The Victorian government has a golden opportunity to invest for the future. There’s no overstating how big the opportunity for growth is. Victoria has the land, skills, infrastructure foundations and global reputation to significantly increase production, create thousands of jobs and generate billions of dollars in additional export revenue. We are a major $22 billion industry that indirectly employs more than 150,000 people. Imagine what that could be with some forward-thinking initiative and a genuine commitment for the future. We just need the government to invest and tweak policy in the right places and Victorian farmers will do the rest. The agriculture industry must be seen as critical sector to propel Victoria out of debt and towards prosperity. Time and time again our industry has proven there’s no better investment than our industry when it comes to economic returns and future growth. What we’re calling for delivers benefits far beyond the farm gate. Efficient freight networks strengthen exporters and regional economies; water infrastructure protects food security for all Victorians; and skills programs secure the future workforce for the state’s largest manufacturing sector. We’re asking for the state government to invest for the future and back us in for the betterment of all Victorians. Brett Hosking, VFF president Fairness They stayed and combatted the fire; gave protection and help as they could and, taking a stand at the front, accomplished a great deal of good. But now, when they too need support, they're told that they don't qualify for assistance themselves. Is that fair? Like me, do you want to know why? It seems that the powers that be have penalised courage and strength (such bastardry surely deserves a day of comeuppance at length). Craig Penny, Terip Terip Clarification To clarify the article ‘Stayed and defended? You’re not entitled: Cleeland’ in The Euroa Gazette of 19 February, Hills Transport did not apply for or seek any grant support, and my comments were intended to highlight the many fire-affected farmers who were ineligible for livestock transport subsidies, not to suggest otherwise about their business. Annabelle Cleeland, Member for Euroa Inquiry welcomed The Nationals and Liberals have secured a parliamentary inquiry that will get to the bottom of Labor’s 2026 summer bushfire preparedness and response. Volunteers, firefighters, farmers, emergency service personnel, and community members will get the opportunity to put their experience on the record and ensure Victorians are better protected in the future. The inquiry will bring to a head the state government’s short-changing of the CFA and support the truth that it cut funding to the CFA between 2021 and 2024. Morale in the CFA continues to decline under Labor, with 9000 fewer volunteers over the past 10 years. Our volunteers are doing the best they can with trucks over three decades old, failing equipment, and ageing sheds. The inquiry – to be undertaken by the Legislative Council’s Environment and Planning Standing Committee – will also examine multiple recommendations from past inquiries that still haven’t been implemented by this government. The inquiry will report by 1 June 2026. Danny O’Brien MP, Leader of The Nationals *** Command slammed Is the good work of the CFA being hampered in any great way by those in command? Some say "Yes" and demand that there be a review right away. Craig Penny, Terip Terip
