AN $11.4 million support package for dairy farmers announced on Tuesday by the state government and the dairy industry has met with very different responses from Farmer Power and the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV).
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UDV president Adam Jenkins, of South Purrumbete, welcomed the package, saying the money would help farmers “find practical solutions to the enormous challenges we all now face”.
However Farmer Power president Chris Gleeson, of Crossley, said the money was a “band-aid” and continued his group’s call for the state government to impose a milk levy of 50c a litre, paid for by consumers, to go directly to farmers.
Mr Gleeson expects about 400 south-west dairy farmers and their supporters will join hundreds of others from elsewhere in the state to bring Melbourne’s centre to a standstill for a protest rally on Wednesday.
At least five buses and scores of private vehicles will take south-west protesters to the 11.45am march from Federation Square to state parliament.
The dairy support package will fund an expansion of Dairy Australia programs that will provide specialised on-farm business support to dairy farmers. It also includes a $240,000 boost for Rural Financial Counselling Service and $220,000 for more support workers at the UDV to assist farmers.
About $4.5 million has been set aside to support affected farming communities with the state to consult on how the money is spent.
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