The VFF will now turn its attention to the State Budget

Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said while the major parties promised short-term improvements, the longer term was clouded by fog.

“Ultimately, we are focused on a date, and the date is the election date,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Post election, we have the annual budget cycle, and whatever party comes in, they will have to start that process fairly quickly. 

“We will be advocating for those major asks almost immediately and trying to get into every department, to ensure we are forming good relationships with ministers, chiefs of staff and their departments.”

Mr Jochinke said connections, formed during the election campaign, would be strengthened, in the coming months.

“We have half a dozen hooks, into each camp, to say that if they are successful, these are the things they will be measured against,” Mr Jochinke said.

“We will be asking the question of them, how does this make the system better for farmers and agriculture?

“We can now track and monitor the big headline items.” 

He said he didn’t think the VFF’s election requests, in particular the $6.2 billion for roads over five years, were too high.

“Was it too ambitious? I would say no because that’s where the money should be.”

He said the election was an opportunity for big announcements and vision, but the hard work started once the new government was in power.

“We may not have landed that big number, but we are seeing sustained maintenance numbers, across the board,” Mr Jochinke said. 

“The number one thing is to maintain roads and build up the parts that are dilapidated.

“Every successive budget, from here on in, we will be making sure money is acquitted to building up the network, outside the metropolitan area.”