Victorian Farmers Federation left ‘flabbergasted’ by Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence visit to struggling farmers

A key figure in the Victorian Farmers Federation says he was left “flabbergasted” by the behaviour of the state’s agriculture minister as she visited drought-impacted farmers, saying “she looked as if she didn’t want to be here”.

A visit to struggling farmers by Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence has been savaged with a key figure in the state’s Farmers Federation saying she was “disinterested” and “looked as if she didn’t want to be here”.

Victorian Farmers Federation dairy division president Bernie Free said he was left “flabbergasted” by Ms Spence’s visit on Thursday where she meet with farmers in the state’s southwest who are battling the worst drought in decades.

Farmers are also angry over the government’s Emergency Services Levy which is set to hit them in the hip pocket.

“She sat across the kitchen table from me and a few other people,” Mr Free told 3AW on Friday.

“I didn’t see much empathy there for the farmer whose kitchen table we were at. He was talking about how he was trying to feed his cows and his water issues.”

Ms Spence met with struggling farmers in Victoria’s southwest. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Mr Free said he was left “flabbergasted” by the Ms Spence’s visit. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Mr Free, who operates a dairy farm at Warnambool, said the farmer and his wife were “really struggling to just look after the animals and wanting to survive and keep going”.

“She (Ms Spence) didn’t say anything about funding — she sat there and looked as if she didn’t want to be here, to be honest,” he said.

“There was no empathy; I was just flabbergasted. She was down here eight to nine months ago and showed a little bit of interest then, but I think it’s just too hard for her now.”

Mr Free also took aim at Premier Jacinta Allan and the Fire Services Levy which is said was kicking farmers “when they’re down”.

“Western Victoria is doing it bloody tough,” he said.

“Then she (Allan) goes and whacks a fire services levy on top of that. Not a clue in creation of what rural Victoria is going through.”

Ms Spence has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Victorian Farmers Federation left ‘flabbergasted’ by Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence visit to struggling farmers