Both the Minister and Shadow Minister for Agriculture will be back in East Gippsland this week on drought-related visits, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has said.

“Minister Jaala Pulford will be here on Wednesday as a follow-up to the on-farm visits and community forum we attended together a fortnight ago and then Shadow Minister Peter Walsh will be here on Thursday and Friday,” Mr Bull said.

“I am anticipating the Minister will be making some announcements around the matters that were raised at our on-farm visits and forum and these included: More resources in the department for a quicker turn-around on applications to control wildlife, which is currently impacting our farmers; More rural financial counsellor assistance, as the one we have is snowed under with current workload and needs support; and working with State Government agencies to provide some off-farm employment opportunities for those who require it.

“I am expecting the Minister will have some good news after our strong advocacy.”

“On Thursday and Friday I will have Peter Walsh visiting a number of communities from Heyfield to Orbost before attending the store cattle sale in Bairnsdale on Friday morning.”

Mr Bull said the small amount of rain received this week was welcome, but nowhere near what is required.

“While the Federal Government is providing direct financial assistance, what I have been advocating for in Parliament for several weeks is more State Government resources into the areas where they can directly assist our farmers on the land,” he said.