Farming is our primary industry in Mallee and always will be, and I make no apology for advocating for our farmers. Our primary producers have enough to worry about with a looming strong El Nino weather system, skyrocketing fuel, fertiliser and chemical costs, before they deal with the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments’ persistent exploitation for political outcomes, and in all other respects, outright neglect.

I’m proud to have advocated for our farmers and farming communities to ensure they get greater respect when Labor’s pet projects threaten to take away farmers’ property rights and family farming future.   I drafted the Prime Agricultural Land Protection Bill that has now been tabled in both Houses of Federal Parliament, and I am pleased to see the Victorian Farmers’ Federation are pushing for something similar prioritisation of our best farming land in the lead up to November’s Victorian State election.

I’ve helped farmers get their voice heard in Canberra and supported their protests in Mallee and beyond.

I am thrilled to share with you that the Leader of The Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, and Shadow Agriculture Minister Darren Chester MP have accepted my invitation – with more guests to come - to hear your stories first-hand at St Arnaud Town Hall at 2pm on Thursday, 21 May.  I am very keen for a strong turnout from across western Victoria.

Farmers are also Australia’s real environmentalists, with the trappers, hunters, Landcare and Coastcare volunteers who get their hands dirty and control pest weeds and animals – while also supporting native species through revegetation and similar activities.

As the Federal Budget approaches, the Coalition is calling for More Boots, Less Suits to fight invasive species like feral cats, rabbits, foxes, wild dogs, mice, carp, deer, goats, pest weeds and – further afield – pigs and fire ants.  

The CSIRO say invasive species cost Australia more than $25 billion in lost agricultural production each year, while also remaining the biggest risk for the extinction of native species.

The Commonwealth needs to lock in long-term funding for control programs while backing volunteers and landholders to deliver real and combined environmental and agricultural outcomes.