Dairy farmer confidence plummets as triple crisis hits

21st May 2013 12:17 pm

Photo by Greg Barber showing lack of rain in South West Vic dairy countryVictorian Greens leader Greg Barber has called on the Liberal state government to develop a plan to address the crisis in the dairy industry, after a new survey shows confidence amongst dairy farmers has plummeted.

"Confidence amongst western Victorian dairy farmers has collapsed in 2013 to 46% down from 63% last year.  Even during the shocking drought times such as 08-09, confidence was much higher, with a 70-80 percent positive outlook."

"Given the significance of the dairy industry to Victoria, you'd think the state government would have said something about the triple crisis of climate, market and competitiveness hitting the industry."

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V/Line performance beyond a joke

20th May 2013 5:22 pm

Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber says V/Line's latest performance figures show a system that is failing, with the Geelong line on a downward spiral and regular passengers on every line but one eligible to claim compensation for poor punctuality.

"This is getting beyond a joke. I call on V/Line to publish the reasons for each and every delayed train so the Napthine government can be held responsible for starving V/Line of funds," said Greens MP Greg Barber

Victoria's black hole: East-west road tunnel

The state government has announced a road tunnel to be dug under the inner suburbs of Melbourne between Collingwood and Flemington.  From Alexandra Parade, under the Melbourne Cemetery, Royal Park and thousands of homes the western end of the tunnel will emerge through a sports field, urban wetlands and billabong before joining with the Tullamarine Freeway.

Unfortunately – but unsurprisingly – many of the details of the project remain a state secret.  Most residents whose homes stand to be affected have not been notified that their state government intends to push this tunnel through despite objections or the exorbitant costs.  The east west road tunnel is looking like an information and budget black hole.