Backing Victoria’s World-Class Producers To Grow
Victoria is Australia’s agricultural powerhouse – and Victorians rely on our farmers to provide the food we eat from paddock to plate.
Both here and around the world, made in Victoria means clean, green and frack free.
Not only is it a reputation we should all be proud of – it’s also a reputation that underpins our state’s whole food and fibre industry – and the livelihoods of around 150,000 Victorians.
Matthew Guy’s Liberals don’t stand with our farming communities.
In fact, they want to force open the gates and frack – undermining our clean and green reputation and putting livelihoods on the line.
If you can even imagine it, they cut funding from the National Centre for Farmer Health, putting their critical services and the lives of Victorian farmers – at risk.
Labor is working with our farmers, not against them.
We’ve already invested over $3 billion in agriculture since coming to government, growing the value of our food and fibre industry to $17.5 billion – an increase of 33 per cent compared to Matthew Guy’s Liberals.
We have backed Victoria’s growers and makers, delivering record investments to strengthen our state’s biosecurity, help farmers invest in new equipment, reduce their running costs and share their produce with the world.
Our $5 million Pathways to Export Program has invested in new in-market agriculture trade specialists in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and China to open new opportunities.
More hardworking families are benefiting from the success that is our agriculture sector – thanks to our $10 million Small-Scale and Craft Program.
Our Drink Victorian program is getting behind Victorian drink-makers, with the program aimed at getting more locally produced drinks into bars and restaurants.
And protecting our precious farmland and our reputation, we banned fracking – and enshrined it in the Constitution.
But as one of our state’s most important economic sectors, we know there’s more to do.
That’s why a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will back Victoria’s brewers, winemakers, distillers to continue making world-class produce.
We’ll deliver a $30 million package so our producers can thrive by promoting more locally made goods, with grants to small-scale producers, support for farmers and backing in our clean green reputation.
This includes $2 million for Victorian Grown grants, which will support small agribusinesses to expand and grow, while promoting locally grown produce.
Our top-quality food and fibre exports make up 27 per cent of all produce Australia sends overseas – more than any other state. That includes Victorian winemakers, who create some of the best wine in the world.
That’s why we will invest $5 million for our Wine to the World program, working in partnership with our winemakers to share their offerings around the globe. This includes a new Victorian Wine Strategy to ensure the industry can continue to go from strength to strength.
But it’s not just outstanding wine that comes out of Victoria – we produce award-winning spirits too.
A re-elected Labor Government will create a $10 million grant fund to support our renowned distilleries establish and upgrade their facilities, drawing even more visitors through their doors.
We’ll also back our hospitality sector, with $5 million for scholarships of up to $10,000 – enabling hospo workers to upskill and creating more dining experiences across our state. And with 50 per cent of funding guaranteed for regional Victoria, we’ll help regional restaurants find the staff and skills they need, boosting tourism and growing local economies.
Without the dedicated farmers who work around the clock every day, none of Victoria’s premium produce would exist – that’s why we’ll continue to back them, too.
And we’ll help maintain Victoria’s clean and green reputation, with $5 million to manage pests and weeds.
We’ll deliver $3 million to support farmer’s safety and wellbeing – including $900,000 to back the vital work of the National Centre for Farmer Health, which looks after our farmers and their families, helping with blood pressure checks, diabetes management, mental wellbeing and more.
Our food and beverage production and tourism industries are vital for Victoria’s economy. When Matthew Guy’s Liberals were last in government, unemployment rose. It was even worse for our farmers with cuts to their health and wellbeing support. Now, they want to destroy our environment and poison our water by bringing back fracking.
Labor is doing what matters – standing with our producers and strengthening our state’s clean and green reputation.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“Victoria is home to the most incredible fresh produce – and the most talented growers and makers.”
“Only Labor will back our farmers, brewers, distillers and producers to continue making world-class produce and making their mark across the globe. And only Labor will keep Victoria clean, green and frack free.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture Gayle Tierney
“Matthew Guy’s Liberals can’t be trusted when it comes to agriculture, they want to frack our vital agricultural land – a cruel blow for farmers and our state’s clean, green reputation.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
"Victoria is home to some of the best local producers in the country and we'll back them to take the next step, boosting tourism experiences and showcasing regional Victoria to the world."