The State Government has been urged to include areas like Benambra, which is in severe drought, into the highest level of drought supports.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said despite the recent rain over the long weekend, things remained very challenging, as it would not result in pasture growth in winter.

“East Gippsland generally has had a great season along the coastal areas and into the foothills, but we are a big area and locations like Benambra have just got nothing in their paddocks and farmers are in dire straits with massive feed bills every week.

“The fact an area like this has not been included in the highest level of drought supports is not right and it is a matter I have raised with the Agriculture Minister, Ros Spence, both in person and in Parliament.”

Mr Bull said the other element of concern was that the package was too restrictive in its criteria.

“The supports that farmers need, like funds to purchase fodder, for council rate relief or assistance to move stock to greener pastures either in Gippsland or interstate – are all excluded.

“The drought package is for infrastructure and requires a co-contribution. Farmers don’t have time to fill in an application for a shed, nor do they have spare funds for the co-contribution. Every dollar they have is going to feed their animals.

“The criteria makes me think the Minister is either tone deaf to the needs of farmers, or they don’t want anyone to apply because Labor has broken the state’s finances,” he said.

Caption: Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull said the difference between the southern part of the electorate and locations like Benambra are chalk and cheese and the latter should be included in the highest level of drought relief. He also urged criteria changes to allow farmers to spend the supports on what they need.