Support package announced

Dairy industry representative groups have welcomed a $1.5 million state government support package for communities affected by the dairy crisis.

Premier Daniel Andrews announced the package in South Gippsland on Thursday.

The premier said the package would ensure dairy farmers and their families experiencing emotional and financial stress get the support they need to help them get through the challenging times.

The package includes $940,000 for extra counselling services, $345,000 in grants to encourage affected communities to support each other and $150,000 to train 750 people in mental health and first aid.

VFF president Peter Tuohey said it was their priority to ensure dairy farmers affected by the crisis get the support they needed.

He said the package would go a long way to helping families cope with the emotional and financial stress they were facing.

“The VFF and its dairy arm, the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria, have been working closely with the state government to deliver this support to crisishit farmers,” he said.

UDV president Adam Jenkins said the package would help ease the pain of those who had been hit hardest by the milk pricecuts and profit clawbacks by major processors Murray Goulburn and Fonterra.

“There are a lot of people doing it tough as a result of the actions taking by Murray Goulburn and Fonterra and this funding will make sure those who need help get the support they need,” Mr Jenkins said.

Mr Jenkins said the package would provide an opportunity for people who have been hit by the crisis to come together and talk about the issues.

The Look Over the Farm Gate program, led by the VFF and the National Centre for Farmer Health, will receive a $100,000 boost to hold additional community wellbeing workshops and events.

The government has convened a Dairy Industry Taskforce to address how farming communities can be supported by proactive measures led by industry.

“We’re putting farmers and their families first by providing them with the support they need to look after themselves – and each other.

“Farmers are resilient and proud people, but we know that even the most resilient need support during these difficult times for the dairy sector,” Mr Andrews said.

Member for McMillan, Russell Broadbent, said a major focus in his next term was going to be on helping to protect the dairy industry from the current boom-and-bust cycle.

“This is the fourth time this has happened in the past 30 or 40 years.”

He is advocating low-interest loans for dairy farmers, especially for those who haven’t been in the industry very long.

Mr Broadbent said many farmers were doing it hard because the price collapse came on the back of the very dry season.

“Other farmers said they had seen it coming for 12 months and were well prepared.”

He said it begged the question about why the big companies were apparently caught unaware by the collapse in export prices.

He sees a role for the Government in helping the industry begin exporting more value-added product to even out the cycle of boom and bust.

“We’ve got to move on and say what is Burra Foods doing so well, and we need to think long-term so we’re not waking up in 20 years’ time to the same thing.”

Senator Ricky Muir also indicated his support for dairy farmers and said there was merit in introducing a tariff to immediately lift the price per litre of milk as a means of helping farmers.

“As the crisis has gained momentum, I have spent the past few weeks consulting with constituents within my electorate who are deeply affected by the sudden pricing downfall,” Mr Muir said.

Mr Muir said there needed to be consumer-driven change.

“I have always maintained the importance of buying locally-produced goods, and milk is no exception.

“We have a fantastic array of locally-produced dairy on our supermarket shelves and in independent local stores. I would encourage all consumers to purchase the brands which are going to give our dairy farmers the best margin for their efforts,” he said.

Dairy farmers and their families seeking help can phone Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 224636).