THE farming community will get an insight into Labor’s plans for agriculture if it wins power at the coming Victorian election.
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The Victorian Farmers Federation has arranged a debate between Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh and his Labor counterpart Jacinta Allan for October 1.
It will be held at Shepparton and canvas a large range of issues, including Labor’s attitude to wild dog eradication.
The aerial baiting of wild dogs was introduced by the Coalition government this year and it eliminated a three- kilometre buffer zone restriction for the dogmen’s baiting and trapping.
Mr Walsh has recently cited the introduction of fresh meat baits as a further initiative to curb the number of marauding wild dogs.
A Labor Party meeting in Melbourne in June voted unanimously to condemn aerial baiting.
Ms Allan distanced herself from that decision and claims her party has always been in favour of that method to control escalating dog numbers.
The member for Benalla and parliamentary secretary on wild dogs, Bill Sykes, said at the time his government had done more on dog control in three years than its Labor counterparts in the previous decade.
“Ms Allan must take country voters for fools or think they have short memories,” Dr Sykes said.
Federation president Peter Tuohey said Ms Allan and Mr Walsh were sure to fire up with a lively debate on agriculture issues.
“These two veterans of Victorian politics have more than 27 years of Parliamentary experience between them so they know how to rebut and challenge each other,” Mr Tuohey said.
He said farmers, rural business operators and anyone else with an interest in agriculture’s future was welcome to attend.
Mr Tuohey said questions would be asked on how farm business taxes and costs could be cut along with how the government would attract and promote jobs in regional areas.
“This is your chance to quiz the next agriculture minister on what you want for agriculture and your business,” he said.
The debate will be held at the Shepparton Football and Netball Club at Deakin Reserve from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Mr Walsh and Ms Allan will each have 10 minutes to speak.
They will then be given three issues to debate followed by a questions and answers session.
