Dear VFF Member, Please see information below forwarded individually to each Candidate for Indi who has accepted the invitation to attend the “Meet The Candidates Forum” by the Wang’ Branch next Thursday night. Kindest Regards, Pat Dear Candidate For Indi, It has been agreeably suggested to me by a fellow VFF member, I send each candidate the below list of questions which may be of assistance in helping you prepare for your presentation at the “Meet The Candidates Forum” being held at the Wangaratta C.W.A Hall next Thursday (August 28th.) evening. Our Wangaratta VFF branch is aware that issues pertaining directly to farmers are only some of the concerns that will be raised, however Primary Industry through both boom and bust has been a significantly, enduring, sustainable source of revenue for our nation. The reduction & demise of regionally located value adding secondary industries based on local primary production has been a powerfully negative impacting influence on regional and urban employment in South East Australia particularly relating to the purchase by foreign investor companies leading to closure and relocation off-shore where low wages to the point of “sweat shop” labour have significantly reduced production costs particularly in the fruit & vegetable processing industries. It was noted by many, including a large number of non farmers that Agriculture and the subsequent flow-on value to our nation was not mentioned by either of the leaders in the recent televised debate and while the coming Forum will attract many who don’t view primary industry as a major concern the fact that a farming organization is hosting it indicates there may well be some of the issues below raised and an advantage for you to be prepared. Hoping the points and questions raised below are of assistance to you. On behalf of the Wangaratta V.F.F Branch I reiterate our gratitude for your acceptance of our invitation to participate in the forthcoming Forum, congratulate you for demonstrating your commitment to our community through your nomination as a Candidate for Office and look forward to seeing and in some instances, meeting you on the evening. Sincerely. D.P. (Pat) Larkin, President, Wangaratta Branch, Victorian Farmers Federation Please Scroll Down. I wondered if it would be a idea if we sent the INDI CANIDATES a copyPRIOR TO TUESDAY NIGHT? ----- Original Message ----- From: Victorian Farmers Federation To: 19949 Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2013 2:06 PM Subject: End the rhetoric and deliver the detail – says VFF Membership wins from the Victorian Farmers Federation Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. End the rhetoric and deliver the detail – says VFF “END the rhetoric and tell us what you’re going to do for farmers!” That’s the message from the Victorian Farmers Federation which is sick of Labor and Coalition declarations proclaiming the importance of agriculture that aren’t backed by policy detail. “Both the Liberal-Nationals Coalition and Labor lay claim to Australia as ‘Asia’s food bowl’, as one of the ‘pillars of our economy’ and as the source of ‘new jobs and growth’,” Victorian Farmers Federation president Peter Tuohey said. “Yet here we are, a little more than 2 weeks away from the Federal Election, and we still don’t have the details we need on key agricultural policies from either the Coalition or Labor. “So, here’s the questions we want answers on. And I’m calling on both sides to give us answers well before polling day.” To the Coalition & Labor parties, the VFF asks: Agricultural policy: Coalition: “What is your agricultural policy and what’s it deliver to farmers?” Labor: “If the National Food Plan is Labor’s agricultural policy it does little for farmers. Is there more?” Local Government funding: “What’s your solution to the funding crisis in rural and regional councils across Australia? On R&D: “Where’s the policy commitment to boost agricultural research funding, which has stagnated at around $250 million a year since 2003-04?” Agriculture’s future growth is dependent on the innovation and productivity gains that R& D can deliver. How much more will you spend each year and will it be directed at true rural research, not climate change and other environmental research.” On drought support: “What is your drought policy? What form of assistance will you provided farmers in prolonged drought?” On food labelling: “What action will you take to improve Country of Origin labelling, especially the ‘Made in Australia’ claim, which is confusing and inadequate?” On Foreign Investment: Coalition: “Where’s the policy commitment to establish a registered of foreign-owned land and water? Where’s the commitment to lower the $244 million price threshold that currently triggers Foreign Investment Review Board assessment?” Labor: “What’s the timeframe for delivering your promised registered of foreign-owned land and water? Red tape: “What specific measures will you take to cut regulatory red-tape in agriculture?” “The Government and Coalition must do all they can to invest in the future Australian agriculture which produces $46 billion of produce, directly employs 307,000 people and more than 1.6 million workers along the food and fibre supply chain,” Mr Tuohey said. The VFF and all Australian farmers need answers on how much funding Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott will put into agricultural research & development? “R&D is crucial to resolving the production challenges farmers and food processors face – from boosting phosphate uptake, drought and salt tolerant crops & pastures, new specialised food ingredients or new bio-control agents to attack agricultural weeds & pests. “Where’s the commitments to rail, rural roads and bridges in regional Australia? “What are our political leaders going to do about the supermarket duopoly and strengthening our competition laws. Yes, the Coalition has committed to a ‘root & branch’ review of the Competition and Consumer Act. But how will they strengthen our competition laws? Current mandatory codes don’t mean much, unless we have a powerful act in place to back them. “Sadly for farmers the only party to leap out of the blocks on delivering specific and detailed agricultural policies is the Greens. They’ve committed to a $300 million investment in agricultural R&D, putting agriculture in the national curriculum, establishing 800 new school kitchen garden programs and reducing the power of the supermarket duopoly. “Unfortunately for farmers the Greens also oppose live exports, GM crops and a raft of policies that would dramatically raise the price of farm inputs – fuel and power. “Time is running out for the major parties as Australia votes on September 7. So on behalf of our farmers I’m calling on the Coalition and Labor to deliver the detail,” Mr Tuohey said. follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend Copyright © 2013 Victorian Farmers Federation, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Farrer House 24 Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000 unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences
Posted on: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 23:26:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015