Community
25 June, 2025
MPs renew calls for drought action
SOUTH West Victorian parliamentarians have again slammed the Victorian Government after another week of “wasting time” instead of delivering vital drought support.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell and Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan this week expressed their “deep disappointment” following the conclusion of the third meeting of the Premier’s Drought Taskforce – held following the Premier’s visit to Camperdown three weeks ago.
Mr Riordan said the three meetings of the Drought Taskforce have now been held with no meaningful or tangible assistance provided to the farming communities grappling with the worst drought in recorded history.
“The Premier came to the south west with cameras rolling, then vanished when it came time to listen to the very people she claims to represent,” he said.
“They’ve now had three separate meetings, held in three different regions, no doubt at significant cost to taxpayers – but farmers have received no real support.
“This is not leadership. It’s political theatre.”
Ms Britnell said relief was desperately needed.
“Farmers are at breaking point,” she said.
“They didn’t need another committee or public relations-driven roundtable.
“They needed help – immediate, practical help.
“Whether it’s freight subsidies, access to feed, low-interest loans, or access to roadside grazing – none of it has been delivered.
“The Premier has failed to show she genuinely understands or cares about the crisis unfolding across our region.”
The MPs called on the government to stop “wasting time and resources on tokenistic processes” and instead deliver a real drought response package which meets the urgency of the situation and supports the economic backbone of south west Victoria.
“Our farming communities have had enough of empty promises,” Ms Britnell said.
“They’re watching livestock head to the abattoir, watching their livelihoods disappear, and watching a government that seems more interested in the optics than the outcomes.”
Mr Riordan said the time for talk was now over.
“The Premier needs to stop staging meetings and start taking action,” he said.
“Our farmers deserve better – and they deserve it now.”
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