Irrigators left struggling after price hikes
Irrigators in northern Victoria are really struggling both financially and emotionally at the moment, as the price of temporary irrigation water hits $250 to $300 per megalitre.
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So it’s particularly disappointing that the Andrews Labor government is trying to convince northern communities that reversing the north-south pipeline and turning on the desalination plant is the solution.
It is nothing but a cruel hoax.
It is a hoax because if it did go ahead, the irrigation water sent up the pipeline would cost roughly $5000 per megalitre, plus the cost of pumping it.
To put that in perspective, at that price an average dairy farm would have a yearly water bill of around $4.5 million.
Labor claims it’s considering the plan to assist struggling irrigators, but how on earth will it help them if they can’t afford a drop of the water?
The truth is that the Andrews Labor government is desperate to find a reason to turn on the desal plant.
They want to validate its existence and they’re using drought-stricken farmers to do it.
There are ways the government could help struggling irrigators in northern Victoria, such as releasing more environmental water under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan into the temporary market.
The last Labor government built the north-south pipeline and desal plant, and it looks like this new Labor government is hell-bent on using them both – no matter the cost.
Peter Walsh, Leader of The Nationals
Liberal-Nationals deliver improved foreign ownership scrutiny
Victorians will welcome the passage of legislation in parliament this week that will ensure a better oversight of foreign purchases of agricultural land.
It formalises a new register of foreign ownership of agricultural land, and lowers the screening thresholds for foreign purchases of agricultural land and agribusiness by private investors from $252 million to $15 million (cumulative) and $55 million respectively.
While foreign investment and its benefits are welcome, the legislation ensures greater scrutiny when analysing a proposal to ensure it's in the national interest, which the Australian people expect. The establishment of the register will provide clear and accurate information on who owns what.
As well, there'll be a register for water entitlements to give greater clarity on the level of foreign ownership of another of our precious natural resources; stricter penalties for foreign investors who breach the rules; and application fees so taxpayers are no longer funding the administration of the system.
I know, from my travels across the state, that people are concerned about foreign acquisitions and what the implications are. We need to ensure that significant foreign investment in Victoria has the potential to benefit regional economies and is in Australia’s best interests.
With profitable and productive agricultural assets around the world becoming harder to find, we don’t want our businesses and communities to miss out on the massive opportunities that the future growth in food and fibre demand will deliver.
The changes will help ensure this and are another key Liberal-National election commitment delivered. For further details, visit http://www.firb.gov.au/content/default.asp
Senator Bridget McKenzie,
Nationals Senator for Victoria
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