MEMBER for Northern Victoria Region Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell has successfully moved a motion in the Victorian Parliament calling on the state government to provide extra funding for farming households struggling in the wake of the ongoing drought.

Mrs Tyrrell tabled the motion on Tuesday and referenced the crippling impact the current drought was having on Victorian farming families, together with ever-increasing costs of stock feed, water, fuel and freight costs, all in the midst of the current cost of living crisis.

Mrs Tyrrell also spoke about the recently introduced Emergency Services Volunteers Fund levy, which will see farmer’s property rates increase by up to 150% in the 2026-27 financial year.

The motion was passed unopposed on Wednesday and Mrs Tyrrell said that she was grateful that all members of the Legislative Council supported her work to get more financial assistance for farmers struggling during the current drought.

“This drought has been described as the worst in living memory and our farming communities are doing it so tough,” Mrs Tyrrell said.

“This motion is the first step in securing them some financial help, similar to the payments the Government made to farmers during the drought of 2019.”

“By supporting my motion, Government members have acknowledged that more has to be done to help our farmers at this time and now Jacinta Allan needs to take action and provide financial assistance to the farmers that work so hard to feed us every day.”