Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Hansard source

I received an email from Aden Gilding this week, and I just wanted to read a little bit of it out because I think it's something that the federal government need to hear. He says:

I'm writing to you as a deeply concerned resident of southwest Victoria. Our region is in the grip of a devastating drought, and the time has come for stronger and more immediate support from government at both federal and state levels.

…   …   …

As a result—

of this devastating drought—

many local farmers have been forced to truck in water, de-stock, or walk away from generations of work. The financial strain is unbearable. But what's even more heartbreaking is the mental toll that this is taking.

The email goes on, but I thank Aden for writing to me, because he's picked up the sentiment of what's happening at the moment across south-west Victoria and in large parts of South Australia as well. I once again call on the federal government to support, in this instance, the Victorian state government in providing more support for our farmers at this time. They need it. They desperately need it. I say to the agriculture minister please come down again, but, this time, make sure you let local members of parliament know you're doing it so we can take you out and so you can hear firsthand what is happening on the ground.

I also say, to the Prime Minister, you returned my text message through a phone call. We had a very good conversation about what's happening on the ground, but, please, Prime Minister, the time for talking is over. We need more help and more support on the ground right here and now. I call on the government to act and act immediately.

The Western Highway is the main thoroughfare between Melbourne and Adelaide. We have begun the process of duplicating that highway from Melbourne through what is meant to be Stawell, but the sad reality is that duplication has stopped just west of Buangor. I'm calling on the federal government, because the money is there, to continue the duplication of the Western Highway to Ararat. What we have seen in the last couple of years is, sadly, lives being lost because this project has stalled. There is no good reason as to why this project should be stalled. We have to get on and finish the job because, otherwise, sadly, more lives are going to be lost and more people are going to be injured because of road trauma. This highway needs to be finished to Ararat and needs to be finished now.

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