Volunteer fodder drivers left with $420,000 debt, after Vic Government funds run dry
Volunteers are demanding Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews honour his word and pay the cost of transporting fodder to fire-ravaged farms, after being left with at least $420,000 of debt.
VOLUNTEERS organising fodder drives for fire-ravaged farmers have been left with at least $420,000 of debt, after being told the pool of Victorian Government money set up to reimburse their transport costs had run dry.
Timboon Lions Club member and Nullawarre dairy farmer Max Anderson organised 82 trucks of fodder for delivery to farmers burnt out in the recent Corryong fires.
But he said he was stunned to receive a text from the Victorian Farmers Federation, which is managing the government funded reimbursement scheme, saying the funds were running out.
“We got a text (from the VFF) saying the funds were about to run out,” Mr Anderson said.
“It cost $280,000 to transport those 82 truck loads of fodder and we were promised the money before we left.
“Transport operators helped us on the basis they thought they would get reimbursed. If we don’t get the money, then it’ll come back on me and the club.”
VFF president David Jochinke did not respond to The Weekly Times calls.
But VFF livestock group president Leonard Vallance said the Government was obliged to deliver on its promise to reimburse fodder transport costs under its Memorandum of Understanding with the federation.
“We have an MoU with Government that means the money can flow, but it’s not flowing,” Mr Vallance said.
He said the Government could not leave people high and dry and not finish the job.
Heyfield Lions Club drought co-ordinator Ray Akers said volunteers were owed $140,000 in fodder transport costs, after delivering about 7000 round and big-square bales to fire-affected properties.
“We’ve contacted the VFF, but we’re not getting much feedback,” Mr Akers said. “Now I’m at a standstill,” he said.
“I had a bloke from Colac offer two loads, but have put him on hold. The point is by now I was thinking the reimbursed money would come through.”
Victorian Nationals Leader Peter Walsh said Premier Daniel Andrews “must not turn his back on our farmers and the volunteers who supported them when they needed it most”.
“The Andrews Labor Government owes it to these community groups to properly fund this subsidy so our generous community groups aren’t left out of pocket,” he said.
Under questioning in State Parliament today, Premier Andrews said he would ensure “anyone who is owed any amount of money is paid”.
Mr Walsh said: “the Premier will be held to account”.
Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said: “We are working with them (fodder donors) to ensure that any fodder subsidies owed will be repaid”.
“It’s disappointing but unsurprising to see Mr Walsh shoot from the hip in the hope of scoring a political point - this does nothing to help any of our bushfire impacted producers and businesses.”
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