Outgoing Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) president Peter Tuohey has spoken out against what he said were “bigoted views”, of the minority.
In his final president’s address to the state conference, Mr Tuohey said Australia relied heavily on agricultural exports.
“We don’t need to lose this, because there is a minority in this country who have bigoted views,” Mr Tuohey said.
“Yes, we do need people who want to become Australian citizens to embrace our culture.
“Yes, we do need to do proper checks on people who wish to come to Australia.
“And yes, we need to make sure investment in this country has a net benefit to Australians.
But he said Australia did not need to lose its $50billion of agricultural exports, because of a minority, with bigoted views.
“It disheartens me to hear some politicians claiming to be Christian whilst showing a genuine dislike for other nationalities becoming part of the Australian community,” Mr Tuohey said.
He outlined some of the VFF’s successes, when he had been president.
“Drought has had a huge impact on North Central Victoria over the last two seasons and unfortunately in 2015 drought conditions spread to over 70% of the state and affected every commodity,” Mr Tuohey said.
“The VFF has been working with the National Farmers Federation (NFF) on developing national drought criteria.”
He said many meetings had been held with the NFF and directly with Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce’s office, which led to changes in how the Agriculture White Paper would help farmers deal with, and prepare for drought. “
A drought tour, by the Premier, Agriculture minister Jaala Pulford and Water minister Lisa Neville had a real impact.
“Out of this drought tour came funding for traineeships, employment for farmers through the CMA’s, stockyard containment area funding, a climate change risk management strategy funding, funding for kindergartens in small rural towns and funding for a pipeline in North Central Victoria,” Mr Tuohey said.
The sale the Port of Melbourne (PoM) lease was also a win for the VFF.
“Our commodities were concerned that the long term lease would lead to higher supply chain costs,” Mr Tuohey said.
“After all it would now be in the hands of a commercial operator who had to return a profit to its shareholders.
“We also believed that a share of the lease sale should be returned to Rural Victoria.”
He said funding was granted for the Murray Basin Rail Project and a percentage of the sale went to a specific fund for rural Victoria.
“There was also a commitment of $200 million for an Agriculture Jobs and Infrastructure Fund and a $1 billion Transport Infrastructure fund.”
