When will new ag minister visit Victoria’s parched southwest?

Farmers are urging Canberra and Spring Street to work together to form a southwest Victorian drought package, with both ag ministers confirming they will visit the region.

Farmers are urging Canberra and Spring Street to work together to form a southwest Victoria drought package as the region loses millions each week from freeze-dried conditions.

Both federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and state counterpart Ros Spence have confirmed they will visit the region.

Ms Collins will kick off a national trip in September or October, which she said would take in drought-affected parts of Victoria.

“I do want to go out and see farmers impacted by drought and I have asked for advice on where that should be,” she said.

Ms Spence is yet to nominate a date.

It follows a visit from Victoria’s Rural Assistance Commissioner, Peter Tuohey, last week to the Camperdown, Hamilton and Casterton districts to see the green drought first hand.

The Weekly Times understands Mr Tuohey will report back to Victorian Minister Spence but his findings will also influence federal action on the drought.

Recently appointed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Ms Collins confirmed she would visit the state before the end of the year.

“The federal government will continue working with the Victorian Government to support farmers who are being impacted by these conditions,” Ms Collins said.

“I will continue to meet with farmers and industry stakeholders to discuss these serious issues, including when I travel to Victoria later this year.”

Ms Collins would not be drawn on whether a threshold needed to be crossed to trigger additional federal government support.

She instead pointed to the range of assistance measures that could be applied for year-round, including the Farm Household Allowance, the Rural Financial Counselling Service or drawing down on Farm Management Deposit holdings.

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Following calls from Victorian peak farming councils, Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said last week that she would visit the southwest by early September to witness the “green drought” first hand.

“I will be visiting the southwest region in upcoming weeks to talk with farmers and communities to hear first hand about their experiences with the current dry seasonal conditions,” the Victorian Agriculture Minister said.

“I encourage these farmers to seek out support through Agriculture Victoria’s tailored programs and services, as well as accessing the Rural Financial Counselling Service and loans provided by the Commonwealth Government through the Regional Investment Corporation.”

United Dairyfarmers Victoria president Bernie Free said Ms Collins and Ms Spence needed to work together to develop a coherent package.

“There can’t be any finger pointing between the state government and federal government. Time is running out – we’re looking down the barrel of a failed season,” Mr Free said.

“No one is blaming either government for the drought – what they want is action and clearly both need to be talking to each other to form a solid response.”

Victoria’s ballooning deficit may restrict whether the minister will come with an offer of financial assistance, unlike resource rich Western Australia, which announced a $8.6 million drought package for farmers in April.

Tasmanian farmers have also received additional support from their state government, which extended access to critical financial assistance through winter until spring in recognition of the unseasonably dry conditions.

In the six months since February, areas with the lowest on record, or with severe or serious rainfall deficiencies since records began in 1900 include agricultural regions of South Australia into western Victoria, coastal South Gippsland and the northeastern ranges into New South Wales, the western half of Tasmania and Bass Strait Islands and parts of coastal southwest Western Australia.