Both the Minister and Shadow Minister for Agriculture will come to East Gippsland in the next fortnight, having taken up invitations from Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, to visit our drought-affected communities.

“Having asked Minister Jaala Pulford twice in the past two parliamentary sitting weeks to come and discuss the dry conditions and challenges local farmers are experiencing, it was pleasing to receive a call from her on Friday night to say she will visit Tuesday,” Mr Bull said.

“An itinerary will be finalized tomorrow (Monday), but I would hope we have the opportunity to visit the Tambo Valley and Orbost areas at least.

“I also have a commitment for Shadow Minister, Peter Walsh, to visit and our intention at this stage is to attend the cattle sale at Bairnsdale on September 14 when a number of local farmers will be present.

“One area I would like some immediate action on is addressing the delay in approving Authority to Control Wildlife permits, with kangaroos and ducks causing considerable problems as our farmers try and get critical spring crops growing.

“Our farmers are waiting four to six weeks to get these permits, which is far too long and as a result, their crops are being destroyed.

“While the Federal Government controls support packages, if we don’t get rain soon, I would also like to initiate discussions on flexibility around household utility bills, like water.

“With New South Wales in particular attracting significant media attention amidst the current drought – and rightly so – I don’t want the State Government to forget that our farmers here are also doing it tough.

“I look forward to having both the Minister and Shadow Minister in East Gippsland as we need to put our situation at the forefront of their thinking.”

PICTURED: Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford.