Council
12 June, 2025
Urgent drought support needed, MP says
LOWAN MP Emma Kealy has called on the Victorian Government to ensure key measures are adopted following the first meeting of the Drought Response Taskforce.
The Victorian Government announced the formation of the Taskforce at the end of May, which is comprised of 13 representatives from government and industry, including Corangamite Shire mayor and deputy chair of Rural Councils Victoria Kate Makin and Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney.
The Taskforce met for the first time in Camperdown last Friday, but no formal details on increased support stemming from the meeting have been announced at the time of publication.
Ms Kealy said greater support was needed for those in the agricultural industry, and implored a number of actions be urgently taken.
She said she was hearing from an increasing number of producers who are managing the demands of livestock, farm finances, household costs, the wellbeing of their families and their own mental health as drought continues to spread across the state.
“I am calling for (the Taskforce) to urgently consider measures to support affordable stock water from all possible water points, including the desalination facility as well as treated waste water from western and eastern Water Treatment Plants,” Ms Kealy said.
“Freight assistance for fodder, water and livestock agistment is also a necessity.
“There also needs to be expanded access to existing mental health supports across the state, including allowing the family members of students to access the mental health practitioners in schools program to support farming families, and to work with Mental Health Victoria to unlock and expand both professional and evidence-based grassroots mental health support and resilience programs.”
Ms Kealy said the measures would provide much-needed support for primary producers as they battle ongoing conditions.
“These drought conditions are impacting Victorians now, and are anticipated to last for the foreseeable future,” she said.
“The Allan Labor Government must stand ready to immediately fund all recommendations put forward by the Drought Response Taskforce and assist producers with meaningful and ongoing support in a timely and effective manner.
“The Liberals and Nationals will continue to support and engage with primary producers and provide their valuable feedback directly to government.”
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