Water buybacks are ‘insane’

What will it take for our city-based, ideologically-driven politicians to wake up and understand the damage they are inflicting on Australian agriculture?

One would think if a leading Australian agriculture investor wants ‘out’ from the industry, stating “Labor and the Greens are hellbent on destroying Australian agriculture”, our politicians would take notice. But that’s unlikely.

Chris Corrigan has been a major player in the sector for many years.

However, referring in particular to water buybacks which are destroying food producing communities for little or no gain, he says “you’re fighting constantly against people who want to destroy Australia’s agricultural capacity”.

Talking specifically about water buybacks, Corrigan says the policy is a greater threat to Australian agriculture than Donald Trump’s 10 per cent tariffs and buybacks are “a bit hard to understand for anyone with a commercial brain”.

He describes the buybacks as “insanity” and “it’s ridiculous; there’s no logic to it”.

Yet our Federal Government, supported by the Greens and Teals, barges ahead with water buybacks despite all the advice that they are the laziest and worst form of water recovery due to the taxpayer cost and the destruction of farms and rural communities.

During this election campaign, I urge everyone concerned about cost of living and the price of food at your supermarket to think about the future ramifications of water buybacks.

This, and other anti-agriculture policies, are impacting the ability of our farmers to grow clean, green Aussie food.

If we continue with this irrational, ideological approach the price of your food will continue to spiral, and despite what some politicians try and tell you, there will be little or no environmental benefit.

Shelley Scoullar,

Speak Up Campaign chair.

Call to scrap the tax

The emergency services tax is the Allan Labor Government’s latest sneaky cash grab and the Nationals will continue to fight it.

What better way of joining us in the fight than sending a message directly to the Treasurer, Jaclyn Symes?

You can do just that at the website https://scrapthetax.com.au

The website is the cornerstone of our ‘Scrap The Tax’ campaign aimed at killing off the desperately unfair emergency services tax before its planned introduction on July 1.

The tax hits households and businesses, with farmers copping a 189 per cent rise on the amount paid under the former fire services levy.

There is no guarantee the extra money will go to the frontline emergency workers who deserve it. It will be used to prop up back room city staff.

Labor can’t manage money and regional Victorians are paying the price.

A vote on the emergency services tax has been deferred and we must strike now before another vote next month.

Let’s send a message to the treasurer now and scrap the tax.

Danny O’Brien.

Victorian Nationals leader.

What a weekend it was

It was a privilege to spend the weekend at the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo alongside my Nationals colleagues, friends, family and the wider community.

More than 2500 people stopped by my marquee for a yarn, to share feedback and raise local issues. Listening to you is the most important part of my job as your voice in parliament.

Now in its 34th year, the expo is a cornerstone of our local economy, bringing people from across the country to experience the best our region has to offer.

It’s a celebration of the strength and innovation in our agricultural industry, showcasing everything from top-quality produce to sheep, cattle and poultry.

Agriculture is the backbone of our regional economy, and events like this play a vital role in recognising the incredible work our farmers do every day.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat, and to those proudly carrying my bright yellow buckets through Kings Park, you certainly stood out.

Annabelle Cleeland,

State Member for Euroa.

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Thursday, 22nd May 2025

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