My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Agriculture and is in relation to assistance provided by the Andrews government for dairy farmers in Victoria in light of the recent milk price cut. This morning I had the opportunity to give a members statement on the milk price cut and the devastating impact it is having on our grassroots farmers in Victoria and the workers who add value ‘to product in the dairy industry. This impact cannot be overstated.
Farmers are now making significant decisions on a day-to-day basis as they work through these realities. Many have made the decision to sell cows or dry off cows as they face farm bills that amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Andrews government, I understand, is standing firm with our farmers and will continue to work with dairy farmers to assist them in getting through these difficult times. As I mentioned in my members statement this morning, the announcement that the Minister for Agriculture made last week, which deals with counselling, financial advice and health issues, has now been supplemented with a further announcement today that will also assist the industry.
It is a partnership arrangement with dairy farmers and the wider industry to deliver an $11.4 million package. So the action I seek from the minister is that she provide us with a road map of what state government assistance is available to farmers in my electorate so that they understand how they can access that information, how they can access those programs and services, who will be eligible and what the timetable will be in terms of the rollout of those available programs.