Peter Tuohey reappointed as Rural Assistance Commissioner

Former Victorian Farmers Federation president Peter Tuohey will continue as the state’s Rural Assistance Commissioner for another year.

Premier Daniel Andrews congratulates outgoing VFF president Peter Tuohey in 2016. Picture: Andy Rogers

Former Victorian Farmers Federation president Peter Tuohey has been reappointed as the state’s Rural Assistance Commissioner, extending his role as a public sector employee until June next year.

The Rural Assistance Schemes Act 2016 allows a commissioner to be appointed, who is not a public sector employee. But by declaring Mr Tuohey a public servant the Government has avoided revealing his remuneration, since he was first appointed in October 2019.

The Pyramid Hill grain grower has also had his January 2017 position as chairman of the Melbourne Market Authority extended, from which he earns $40,000 and $50,000 annually.

Mr Tuohey has previously been accused of being rewarded for his support of the Andrews Government in his former role as VFF president, a claim he has vigorously denied.

When he was VFF president in 2015, Mr Tuohey led negotiations that saw the federation back the Government’s push to sell a 50-year lease on the Port of Melbourne to the Chinese-backed Lonsdale consortium for $9.7 billion.

Mr Tuohey did not respond to calls and text messages seeking comment on his reappointments.