FARMERS have said the latest Government drought package does not go far enough to address the pressure on rural communities.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking said that while any support is appreciated, “the limited scale of the package falls well short of what is required, especially when compared with more substantial efforts in other states such as South Australia”.
“Farmers are not asking for handouts. They are asking for meaningful recognition of the strain this drought is putting on their livelihoods, their families and their mental health,” Mr. Hosking said.
“The response so far is too narrow in scope. What is urgently needed is for the government to get out into the regions, speak directly with the farmers doing it tough, and take real action based on what they are hearing.
“There are simple regulatory shifts that could make an immediate difference, such as allowing better control of pest animals like kangaroos, or relaxing regulations to allow more high-productivity vehicles on our road networks to cart additional fodder to feed the starving animals we are seeing on farms as a result of the drought. 
“These changes would help farmers protect their stock and manage limited resources more effectively. This drought is not just about dry paddocks. It is about people, families and communities under stress. We need a more serious, co-ordinated response.” he said.