UNCERTAINTY over a dairy consortium with international links eyeing off Western District farms has been addressed in State Parliament.
Western Victoria MP James Purcell has claimed the financial backing of Linear Capital is "sketchy" and has called on Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford to examine its operations.Mr Purcell told State Parliament more than 70 farmers across the Western District were in negotiations with Linear.
"Foreign ownership is a problem throughout Victoria," the Vote1 Local Jobs party leader said.
"Currently there is a great deal of uncertainty in western Victoria regarding a plan by Linear Capital to create a major new dairy company in Australia. "Over the last 12 months, the company has been negotiating with more than 70 farmers in western Victoria to purchase their properties for this investment."
Mr Purcell told the Legislative Council it was important to ascertain the countries of origin behind Linear Capital. The details of who is financially backing the plan are sketchy, with unknown information being spread about the source of the capital being from China, possibly Canada or possibly from other regions," the Port Fairy-based MP said.
A spokeswoman for Ms Pulford said "any negotiations between dairy farmers and Linear Capital are a matter for the individual farmers and Linear Capital".
Linear Capital managing director Troy Harper was in China when contacted by The Standard on Tuesday. He referred questions to a publicity representative.
"This project represents an opportunity to secure long term jobs and economic benefits for the region and we are continuing to talk directly to farmers and investors to progress it," a Linear spokeswoman said.
United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) president Adam Jenkins said while his organisation welcomed foreign investment, a reasonable degree of clarity was preferable.
"The UDV supports foreign investment but any investors should keep the lines of communication open," Mr Jenkins said.
Linear Capital announced its intention in October 2014 to invest in 50 dairy farms throughout the Western District with plans to also establish two processing plants. It is understood the company is dealing with farmland in the Terang, Colac and Camperdown districts.
