The relief package will add to the $29.69 million announced late last year for farmers and communities in Central and East Gippsland and in Northern and North West Victoria.
But Mr Walsh said it was a “long way short” of what farmers have been calling for and expecting.
“This is a $13 million band-aid and it’s grossly inadequate in the context of the catastrophic conditions that have been slowly crushing our farmers for months now,” he said.
“Farmers are watching all their bills keep piling up.
‘‘Some already faced rates notices this month of tens of thousands of dollars, while at the same time spending thousands of dollars each week to keep livestock fed and watered.
“Daniel Andrews must loosen the purse strings and he must do it fast before our farmers walk away and banks move in.
“We repeat again: a program of council rates rebates must be implemented by the State Government as soon as possible. Fixed water charge rebates must also be on the table.”
Mr Walsh said the Nationals co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister last week requesting the acceleration of Commonwealth funds and programs.
“This letter in no way absolves Daniel Andrews and his government of their state responsibility to provide substantial and immediate help to our drought affected Victorians,” he said. “Daniel Andrews expects the Prime Minister to do more, but he needs to do more himself.”
The Labor Government said it will provide payments of up to $2500 to dairy farmers in Northern Victoria who receive the farm household allowance to provide immediate support that will help them ease cost-of-living pressures.
An additional $1 million will be provided for a drought hardship fund, which will provide further payments to farmers who are struggling but don’t qualify for a drought hardship support payment.
The Labor Government will also provide $5 million to extend the on-farm drought infrastructure grants program.
This program has already provided almost 2500 farmers across Gippsland and Northern Victoria with grants of up to $5000 for on-farm infrastructure to improve drought preparedness and management.
To help save farmers time and stress, an additional $1 million will be provided across the state to improve water supply access for stock and domestic water users, making it easier for farmers who are currently water carting.
‘‘Keeping young farmers on the land is vital for the future of agriculture in Victoria – that’s why we’re giving immediate relief to support them through dry conditions,’’ Labor Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp said.
‘‘We’re supporting farming families in Northern Victoria through drought, giving them the help they need to get through these tough conditions.’’
