Leader of the Victorian Nationals, Peter Walsh, spoke to drought-affected East Gippsland farmers and members of the agriculture sector on Wednesday, gauging their situation and discussing the type of support they require in a time of need.

While in town to meet with the Committee for Gippsland to discuss train services, a potential Traralgon by-pass and opportunities to capitalise on decentralization following the Labor Government’s decision to cut the Regional Growth Fund following the November State Election, among other subjects, Mr Walsh and local MP, Tim Bull, said freight subsidies are an issue being largely undetected in Victoria in comparison to the states.

“Very much the focus of our discussion with the farmers was around rates and freight subsidies, which in New South Wales the clock started again on July 1 so New South Wales farmers can now access up to $40,000 subsidies again and Victoria needs to match it otherwise our guys are at a disadvantage. Queensland is doing it too,” Mr Walsh said.

“In New South Wales it is up to five dollars a kilometre dollar-for-dollar for freight subsidies - our guys just can’t compete.

“The comment Jaclyn (Symes, State Minister for Agriculture) made in the Shepparton News was ‘New South farmers can access up to $40,000 in freight assistance, we have got this package where you can get $3500’. The simple answer is do the arithmetic – where is the help for farmers in $3500 compared to $40,000 in freight subsidies?

“The New South Wales Government has spent about $2 billion on drought aid, the Victorian Government is about $45 million.”

Mr Bull echoed Mr Walsh’s sentiment.

“When hay becomes available, we can’t be at a competitive disadvantage to the other states,” he said.

The Member for Gippsland East is still advocating on behalf of farmers for rate relief and said it’s now time for the State Government to make a decision.

“Rate relief is a no-brainer. They have done it before, they did it in 2008 and what is frustrating the hell out of me, the previous minister said pre-election, ‘it’s a matter to be dealt with in the New Year’. The New Year came and the new minister said ‘it’s still on the table and it’s still to be considered’,” Mr Bull said.

“That was in January, here we are in mid July and nothing has happened.

“When something is on the table, the time has to come where either you do it or take it off the table.

“The farmers we are speaking to, they are just so frustrated - is this just going to sit on the table until it rains again?”