Drought tour: Premier Allan to visit south west

Premier Jacinta Allan has confirmed she will visit drought-ravaged farms and communities in Victoria’s south west.

Premier Jacinta Allan is about to see the true impact of drought on south west farmers, who desperately need financial support.

Premier Jacinta Allan intends to visit southwest Victoria’s drought-affected farms and communities, once next week’s state budget has been delivered.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said the Premier made the commitment at a meeting they had on Tuesday, an hour after farmers rallied on the steps of Parliament to vent their anger over the government’s new $1.6 billion emergency services tax.

While the meeting focused on the impact of the tax on farmers and all Victorian landholders, Mr Hosking said the Premier “made a real commitment” to get out to the drought-ravaged southwest.

He said Ms Allan was hopeful of getting a representative from the Federal Government along on the trip to see first-hand the impact of a drought, which has destroyed pastures and depleted seed banks, forcing many farmers to cut stock numbers.

The Premier’s office confirmed Ms Allan intends to visit the region, but must first get the 2025-26 state budget out next Tuesday.

The introduction of the new emergency services tax is a key revenue measure that is reliant on legislation that the Upper House cross bench is yet to support.

Debate on the Fire Services Property Amendment (Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund) Bill 2025 now deferred for a second time this week, with debate now due to resume on Thursday.