A haystack fire at Coonooer West on 10 December is another reminder of the challenges Wimmera farmers manage on a regular basis.  Trying to enjoy a moment’s peace to celebrate Christmas is difficult enough with the challenging harvest, fire risk, commodity prices – but then on top of that this year have come the compounding threats to farming’s future from Albanese and Allan Labor’s energy and mining railroads.  

The American Wild West was marked by individuals – variously described as industrialists, entrepreneurs, swindlers or snake oil salesmen – backed by government to override landholders to get their way, supposedly for the greater public good.

The Nationals are not opposed to mining – let me be clear – but we do not agree with farmers being treated like doormats for speculators to wipe their feet on.  I have spoken consistently about social licence – genuinely securing support from local farming communities.  Victorian Labor gave environmental approval to two projects in Mallee this hot, busy month: WIM Avonbank at Dooen and VHM Goschen.  Environmental concerns are protected at both state and federal levels thanks, at a federal level, to environmental treaties past governments signed, and electoral concerns about the environment.  Indigenous cultural heritage has similar joint state-federal protection. There is no equivalent protection for our farmers’ generational contribution to the land and our nation, and indeed to food safety and security.  I’m can’t change that at a Victorian level but have been discussing food security at length with Nationals colleagues in Canberra.

Labor is treating farmers like peasants who don’t own their land, under the boot of Albanese and Allan Labor feudal lords who see Mallee as a blank space on the map, devoid of real people or communities.  Renewable and mining ventures might never get going, but the bad blood they stir will remain for generations.

Amid this turmoil, the Christmas message encourages us to seek peace and hope. Let’s take a moment’s rest from our labours (including harvest if possible) to embrace loved ones, remember those special things nobody can take away from us and please reach out for help if you are in despair.  

I hope you can find a moment’s peace, hope and love and prepare for a big 2025.

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