MURRA Warra farmer, Victorian Farmers Federation president and National Farmers Federation vice president David Jochinke has met with Australia’s latest Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.
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Mr Jochinke, NFF president Fiona Simson and NFF chief executive Tony Mahar spoke to Mr Morrison at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday to discuss agriculture issues.
“Mr Morrison indicated that he was keen to progress the $50 billion vision we have for Australian agriculture,” Mr Jochinke said.
“There was a focus on the drought situation in Queensland, New South Wales and East Gipplsland, but we also talked extensively about water infrastructure and how it affects our part of the country.
“Although I was there as NFF vice president, I also flew the flag for Victorian farmers and Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water.”
Mr Jochinke said there needed to be a long-term solution to reinstate the Water Infrastructure Fund.
“We asked Mr Morrison whether there was any money for that to happen and he said there wasn’t,” he said.
“Water infrastructure is so important and the outcomes outweigh the costs into the future.”
He said they also discussed the NFF’s drought policies.
“We talked about what is good drought policy looks like, which is a hard thing to do while in drought,” he said.
“Once we’re out of this, we will talk about what can be done to reduce farmer debt.
“For Mr Morrison to give us a whole hour to talk about agriculture was a great honour. But like all these things, the real test will be when things are tough. It’s a positive start (but) it’s very early days.”
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