Council
8 August, 2025
Britnell calls for more relief
MEMBER for South West Coast Roma Britnell has labelled the state government’s drought relief package a “disappointing and delayed response.”
In a statement issued last Thursday, Ms Britnell said the government’s relief package leaves struggling south west coast farmers behind.
“The government has failed to deliver immediate assistance, with so-called discounts only now reaching mailboxes, while the emergency services volunteer fund (ESVF) has been pushed into next year,” Ms Britnell said.
And while recent rainfall is welcome, Ms Britnell emphasised that feed for livestock “doesn’t sprout overnight.”
“Farmers are still doing it tough. Just as hard, if not harder, with the cold conditions at the moment,” she said.
“In the midst of all this government promise of relief, CFA volunteers now face a complicated process to claim the promised rebate for the emergency services tax.”
Ms Britnell added that on top of their CFA verification, volunteers must also register on a government portal and provide additional information, consenting to data sharing with various parties.
“How much harder can the government make it?” she asked.
“As farmers are feeding their animals by hand, this out of touch government thinks they have time to fill out complex online forms and applications.”
Ms Britnell is calling on the government to expand financial assistance immediately.
“The Victorian Farmers Federation has rightly called out this package. Feed is what our farmers need today, not next season. That’s why organisations like Need for Feed are stepping in with hay deliveries from Western Australia.
“If the government genuinely wants to help, they should back these practical efforts.”
She believes the latest “insult” is the complex and bureaucratic process CFA volunteers must endure to access the emergency services tax rebate.
“Our volunteers shouldn’t have to jump through digital hoops and surrender personal data just to receive what they’ve been promised,” Ms Britnell said.
“After two years of crippling dry conditions, the south-west community deserves decisive action, not taskforces and empty announcements.”
She believes this recent drought relief package falls short, and that farmers are still waiting for meaningful support while other regions receive freight rebates and broader consideration, including for hobby farmers.
“Our farmers feed Victoria and they deserve more than platitudes. They deserve respect, real support, and action.”
