Agriculture is the backbone of Monash's economy and identity. It is vital our region is recognised as one of Australia's most productive food bowls.
As your MP, I will support farming and associated agricultural industries, locally and nationally, by:
1. Strengthening farmer’s rights and bargaining power
- Protect our farmers’ right to farm, including advocating for sensible land use planning and reducing red tape
- Ensure the farming community has a voice at all levels of government.
- Break up the market powers that squeeze farmers, ensuring fair prices for local produce, and a mandatory code of conduct for supermarkets
- Support farmland management including biosecurity, weed and feral pest management programs and sustainability.
- Ensure the ongoing vitality of the industry, including addressing barriers to entry, and supporting local producers.
2. Boosting agricultural education and addressing workforce shortages
- Reinstate agriculture-based courses at Gippsland TAFEs
- Support higher-level training for business management, staff employment, and climate adaptation
- Advocate for increased housing in agricultural regions to attract and retain workers
- Promote food production education in schools to strengthen the connection between farms and communities
3. Delivering Better Infrastructure for Agricultural Communities
- Secure federal funding to improve rural roads and bridges to safely handle heavy farm equipment and support supply lines.
- Fund town bypasses at Leongatha and Drouin to improve freight routes and transport efficiency
- Improve telecommunications and power infrastructure to provide increased reliability in all weather conditions
4. Supporting Sustainable and Resilient Farming
- Work with farmers to develop evidence-based sustainability programs that support both economic and environmental outcomes
- Advocate for grants that support farmers to improve energy efficiency and reliability across all agricultural sectors
- Strengthen Landcare organizations to deliver higher-level programs that enhance farm productivity and resilience