Apples Or Tennis Balls, Or Both, It's That Simple
There is now no doubt that the Victorian Labor Government has no understanding of regional Victoria, and cares even less.
Yesterday the Premier, Daniel Andrews, announced he would not enable an on-farm quarantine program to allow thousands of fly-in seasonal workers to harvest the state’s farm produce.
Victoria’s horticulture sector is worth $8.5 billion.
Other states have come up with quarantining solutions.
Liberal Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, has joined the Victorian Farmers Federation in its condemnation of the hypocrisy displayed by the Victorian Government.
“The VFF is so frustrated by this Government which does backflips to get planeloads of high- profile international tennis players to come here – but won’t allow people to come and pick fruit,” Mrs McArthur said.
“These are double standards of the worst kind.
“They will have ramifications for years for farmers and cost impacts for every consumer who wants to buy Victorian fruit and vegetables in our supermarkets.”
The Premier was aware of the critical need for the seasonal workers last year, revealing in December that he knew access to 22,000 Pacific Islanders was vital for Victoria’s successful harvest.
“This is a Premier who signs up Belt and Road deals with China – a country that has kicked Victoria’s farmers to the fence.
“In that same reckless, and deliberate manner, Daniel Andrews is following China’s lead again.
“It is bad enough that a foreign country would do this to our farmers, but disgusting that a leader of our own would follow suit.
“He even allowed drug-injecting facilities to remain open during the crisis. He wouldn’t let you see your family during the lockdown, or drive beyond 5kms from your home – but he would allow you to drive as far as you like to inject an illegal substance.
“He makes the rules. He chooses what can or can’t happen.
“Now he has another choice to make – whether to save Victoria’s farmers or not. It’s that simple”.
Mrs McArthur said other states have proven the solution is not difficult.
“While the Premier argues that it is ‘quite a complex matter’, it is clearly not impossible.
“He must resolve this issue today – not tomorrow – not even next week.
“He created Victoria’s coronavirus quarantine crisis – now this is creating a crisis on top of that.
“A crisis on a crisis - and all of it avoidable.
“The Federal Government’s Agriculture Minister is imploring this Labor Premier to do what other Australian Premiers have done – and I do likewise.”
20 January 2021