Giffard has had a gutful of politicians.
The area near Sale has been hit hard by drought for almost three years on the trot.
Local farmers say government assistance has been both minimal and misplaced.
"Daniel Andrews needs to realise he's Premier of Victoria not US President and come out here so he knows what's needed," farmer Trent Anderson said.
"The Prime Minister came to Briagolong, then had the gall to walk out of the woolshed and announce a program for the irrigation district, knowing full well not a cent of it would help locals," Megan Lee, Briagolong, said.
FINDING DOLLARS
Giffard sheep producer Steve Harrison, whose farm has hosted many a politician, said he was frustrated by the type of relief governments offered.
"It's really ironic, we just can't afford to get drought support," Mr Harrison said.
"The government has suggested we're entitled to $38,000 of assistance but we have to spend more than $120,000 to obtain it and farmers around here just don't have that kind of money.
"I don't want to see another Labor politician here unless they turn up with a proper support package.
"More money's been made available to tackle mental health, too, but rate relief would do more for farmers' mental health than going to a public hall only to be told to see a doctor."
THE INVESTOR
The grants have also fallen short for those with recent investments.
Andy Jones' 900 hectares equipped with six centre pivots looks drought proof but his costs have ballooned by over $400,000 this season.
"If you've been desilting dams and improving water infrastructure over the last five years, you can only claim a rebate expense for stuff done in the last 12 months," Mr Jones said.
NIGHT SHIFT WORK
On Thursday morning, Ms Lee, Briagolong, arrived at Stradbroke for a Rural Aid charity hay drop at the appointed 10.30am.
By midday when their four bales and bulka bag of pellets were being loaded, the worker, fresh from night shift, was fast asleep in their ute.
Although her husband, Damian, has been running the farm since his father passed away in 1991, only his elderly mother can apply for the Farm Household Allowance (FHA), Ms Lee explains.
"Even if we were able to get another ABN to apply for the FHA, my off-farm work rules us out," she said.
The young mother said while grants for primary school uniforms had been welcome, they had not been well thought through.
"We are appreciative but these grants totally missed the mark and the money could have been much better spent," she said.
"They arrived too late and instead of issuing vouchers for proper school shoes, we have these suede skate shoes that are really not right for the job.
"The thing we've repeatedly asked for is rate relief.
"Daniel Andrews must be a very stubborn man."
FAMILY TRUST
Mixed farmer Trent Anderson, Giffard, brought one of his five children to meet the hay truck and has perhaps the largest hay allocation.
A family trust and the carrying over of incomes from one year to the next means he is ineligible for the FHA and Mr Anderson hopes the Victorian government will reshape its support packages.
"First and foremost, they've got to attack shire rates because it would be equitable across businesses," he said.
"I spend about $35,000 in rates a year and that would keep our animals in feed for a month.
"I'd also like to see a subsidy on freight for agistment stock, it wouldn't distort any market and would help us get farming again."
How the drought aid dollars and cents stack up
Aside from the Farm Household Allowance, most government aid requires drought-affected farmers to spend matching sums to be eligible.
On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Support Grants
Government: up to $5000
Farmer: matches dollar for dollar, so up to $5000
Pasture Recovery and Management Grant Program
Government: up to $5000
Farmer: matches dollar for dollar, so up to $5000
Note: can be retrospectively applied to invoices from January 1, 2019.
The Farm Business Assistance Program
Government:
- $3500 for FHA recipients and young (under 35 year-old) farmers
- $2500 for remaining commercial farms
Farmer: none
Note: program ends July 31, 2019.
The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
Government: a one-off 25 per cent rebate of up to $25,000
Farmer: $100,000 to get the maximum rebate
From the Minister
The office of Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said matched funding had not been a barrier for farmers taking up drought support initiatives such as On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Support Grants and Pasture Recovery Grants, with over 4500 applications to date.