Gippsland farmers are facing unacceptable delays in the processing of the Allan Government emergency drought support scheme applications.
In May, the Allan Labor Government finally deemed primary producers in Bass Coast, South Gippsland, and Baw Baw Shires eligible to apply.
Yet, months later many drought stricken Gippsland farmers have not received a cent or an acknowledgment of their application.
The Nationals’ Melina Bath highlighted the issue in state parliament this week, documenting the case of Woolamai farmer Wayne Churchill, who had been waiting over seven weeks for a response to his application.
“Three days after calling out Labor’s Minister for Agriculture, Mr Churchill was finally acknowledged and received a positive outcome,” Ms Bath said.
“It’s a poor reflection of the Allan Government’s priorities – it should not take a question to be asked in parliament for emergency drought support funding to be released to a stricken farmer.
“Mr Churchill needed to access drought funding to urgently increase his dam capacity over winter – a critical step to ensure water security and enable restocking during summer.”
Ms Bath said Labor’s bureaucratic mishandling of drought support is unacceptable and jeopardises farmers’ ability to survive and recover.
“Mr Churchill’s situation is not isolated – it highlights serious flaws in Labor’s drought scheme and the government’s ability to support farmers when it matters most.
“The scheme’s serious shortcomings must be urgently addressed by the Allan Government to ensure all applications are processed in a timely and compassionate manner.
“Our primary producers are the backbone of our rural communities – we rely on them for the food on our tables and prosperity in our towns.
“Drought inflicts enormous stress on rural farming families and communities – when farmers struggle with drought, everyone suffers.”
Labor cannot manage money, can’t manage drought support and Gippsland farmers are paying the price.
