A CHANGE in Agriculture Minister could be beneficial for the industry, says one Sunraysia grower.
Red Cliffs farmer and Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Sunraysia spokesman Bill McClumpha said while the instability within the National Party was “very disturbing”, if it meant David Littleproud returning to the agriculture portfolio, it would be a win for the region.
It was reported that Mr Littleproud, this week elected as deputy Nationals leader, was expected to regain the agriculture portfolio.
“We had who I thought was a pretty competent Agriculture Minister in David Littleproud who was tipped out for reasons which have never been explained as far as I can see,” Mr McClumpha said.
“Bridget McKenzie was put in and she has hit rocky ground – and now she has left on top of that – so what was the point of it?
“Now Mr Littleproud could be back in and as far as I’m concerned, his credentials are pretty good.”
Amid the fallout from Tuesday’s leadership spill, VFF president David Jochinke told the Wimmera Mail-Times farmers were calling for stability and strong policies.
“The help that has been provided to people in fire and droughts (this season) sets a precedent of what we then can call on when we are in times of need,” Mr Jochinke said.
“Indirectly by making sure good policies are being rolled out, we then have a base then to call for assistance if and when we need it.
“How do we make sure farmers have a good business model that we can demonstrate provides robust risk management framework in a drought or flood year?
“And if we’re going to see drier periods should we looking at more options to integrate livestock into the system, or update our sowing techniques?”
Mr McClumpha said the region was in need of a strong Agriculture Minister, and that Mr Littleproud would be the right candidate.
“I would say we need someone like Littleproud – he is a relatively progressive and a well-educated man,” he said.
“He is well across the imperative that we are concerned about in this region, like the effects of climate change, the need for a sustainable basin and a workable basin plan.”
Mr Littleproud has been an advocate for a fair and quality Murray Darling Basin Plan, calling for a “tough cop” role to overlook the process during 2019.
He also said that the leadership spill outcome was preferable for the region.
“If Barnaby got back in it would be curtains for the basin plan – it’s already been wound back from its initial scope,” Mr McClumpha said.
“It’s a political football that has been kicked to death.
“If Barnaby got back in it would have had big implications for the plan and for Sunraysia too.”
