Mr Tehan and fellow dairy region MPs have been in talks with Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce to develop a financial aid package for farmers left reeling after Fonterra and Murray Goulburn announced shock milk price cuts.

Mr Tehan said he, Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson, Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Adam Jenkins had been working closing with Mr Joyce on the plan.

“Barnaby Joyce has made it clear that he wants to come down here and hear from farmers on the ground before making a final decision on what needs to be done,” Mr Tehan told The Standard.

“Barnaby will be coming down talking to dairy farmers in Victoria this week. 

“We’re looking at some sort of package of assistance for our dairy farmers that will work to get them through this difficult stage and set them up for the future.”

Both Mr Tehan and Ms Henderson have welcomed an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigation into the actions of Fonterra and Murray Goulburn.

“We have to look seriously at what comes out of those two investigations and see what needs to be done… to make changes to ensure that we don’t see decisions like those that have been taken by Murray Goulburn and Fonterra ever be made again,” Mr Tehan said.

Ms Henderson went further, calling for the two processors to reverse their pricing decisions.

“This is appalling corporate behaviour. The message is that we’re not going to cop it,” she said.

“There is no doubt that there has been misleading conduct. We’ve been working very closely with the Agriculture Minister’s office to determine what further action the government needs to consider.

“First and foremost the processors must be held to account.”

Ms Henderson described the mood of many dairy farmers she had spoken to as “absolutely desperate”.

“I had someone in my office a couple of days ago who was in tears,” she said. “I’m very concerned for the mental health of dairy farmers.”

Ms Henderson will chair a meeting on Tuesday at 10am. It will be held at 1330 Corangamite Lake Road, Alvie. UDV president Adam Jenkins will also attend. 

Mr Jenkins said it was pleasing to see the government taking action.

“From a state government level and a federal level they’re working to see what farmers may need and what the government can do,” he said.

“It won’t solve people’s problems tomorrow… but it will point them in the right direction of where they can seek help.”