With just 14 weeks to go until the 2018 state election, candidate and party responses to calls to ‘deliver for agriculture’ have left a fair bit to be desired.
Based on the lack of compelling vision expressed so far, we can only assume those seeking to run the state after November are still putting the finishing touches on their pitches to the sector.
In recent weeks we’ve seen extensive bickering between state and federal politicians over national energy policy, and, at the state level, unedifying skirmishes over regional and rural roads.
Meanwhile the silence over the council rates issue, which threatens the livelihoods of so many farmers, has been deafening. In addition, our communities continue to count the cost of rural crime and many are still struggling with substandard communications infrastructure.
On top of all this, a lack of fit-for-purpose roads, and the dire state of our rural and regional network, threatens Victoria’s ability to remain globally competitive, and puts lives at risk every day.
The VFF in not interested in political argy-bargy and petty point scoring at the margins. Political decision-makers must instead commit to tangible outcomes, and genuine actions which deliver on-farm and improve profitability. We are seeking leadership and vision from our politicians, for a sector upon which so much of Victoria’s success is built. We contribute over $13 billion to the state’s economy.
Candidates seeking to make an impact would do well to study the VFF’s 2018 election platform; ‘Delivering for agriculture – growing communities’. In it we outline our key campaign priorities including fit-for-purpose roads.
We’re saying enough is enough. It’s time for election candidates to start delivering for agriculture, and help grow our communities.
