Nats’ leader visits region

A LOCAL grape grower has told Nationals’ leader David Littleproud it is like “death by a thousand cuts” for farmers at the moment, as the MP toured the region yesterday.

Member for Mallee Anne Webster invited Mr Littleproud to Sunraysia to meet with directly with farmers to hear some of their concerns.

“This is the coalface of why there is a cost-of-living crisis in this country,” Mr Littleproud said.

“If you don’t give our farmers the tools they need, then you are going to pay the price.

“Farmers feel as though they are under siege at the moment, and quite rightfully, because they are not being listened to, they are not being understood.”

One of those farmers that they met with is Irymple grape grower Tim Milner, who spoke about issues he is currently facing in regards to trade, red tape, workforce, and water buybacks.

“We’re the best in the world at it, you eat an Australian grape and you are just going to know that you are eating the taste of sweetness and sunshine that comes from this region, and we are so proud of that,” Mr Milner said.

“We are family growers, family farms, and we are just trying to make an honest dollar, but we are just being cut off at every corner.

“Policy issues and challenges like that when it comes to the Federal sphere in particular are really starting to affect and bite us, and it’s becoming a death by a thousand cuts.”