The Victorian Government has guaranteed the future of the National Centre for Farmer Health.
At the Hamilton site today, Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford announced $4 million in funding over four years would be included in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget, to be issued next week.
The funding is not contingent on Federal Government funding, as was the former Coalition government's position.
The funding fulfils a key election promise and will allow the centre to rebuild after the former Coalition government’s cuts saw staff numbers slashed by 75 per cent to only three full-time positions.
The centre, established in 2008, is a world-renowned facility dedicated to improving the health of farmers across not just Victoria, but the entire country.
Victorian farmers experience higher incidences of injury, illness, mental health issues and work-related fatalities than most other industries, yet they have more limited access to health services.
The centre brings together university research, service delivery and education to address the gap in health, safety and wellbeing between farmers and city dwellers, providing essential services for farmers across Victoria.
Ms Pulford said the Victorian State Government was putting the health and wellbeing of farmers and farming families first by saving the centre.
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the news, with its president Peter Tuohey saying it was one of VFF's key election demands.
“We need to invest more than ever in the health and wellbeing of our farmers and regional communities, so this is great step in the right direction,” Mr Tuohey said.
“The centre has played a key role in helping farming families realise that maintaining their health and safety was a vital part of running a profitable farm business.
“Through this funding the delivery of crucial research, support and services can continue to be provided to regional people both on and off the land."