Stamp duty waiver is a fair deal for our farmers
FOLLOWING extensive lobbying by local farmers and The National Party, the Victorian Government has finally announced that it will remove stamp duty on insurance against damage to crops, livestock and equipment in the State Budget, announced on Tuesday.
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This win for local farmers is another example of The Nationals fighting for a fair deal for regional Victoria.
I first raised this matter in Parliament in February 2016 urging the Premier Daniel Andrews make good on his commitment to examine the cost of multi-peril crop insurance for drought-stricken food producers in Western Victoria.
At the time grain, pulse and legume producers in some areas of western Victoria were suffering from the lowest ever two-year rainfall levels and were increasingly turning to multi-peril crop insurance to guarantee some return on their cropping input costs.
However many farmers were not taking out this insurance due to the high premiums and some products requiring 10 per cent of the maximum claimable amount.
Our solution of waiving stamp duty on this insurance product was a simple way for government to support and empower our farmers to better manage their risk profile.
I am pleased that the extensive lobbying by The Nationals and local farmers on this important issue has led to the introduction of a policy that will save farmers up to 10 per cent on insurance against flood, fire and other accidental provisions.
We will continue to fight for our local farmers on issues that will help ensure their financial sustainability into the future.
Emma Kealy, Member for Lowan
Encouraging women to take the lead in councils
I HAVE used a speech to the Australian Local Government Women’s Association to encourage women in Victorian councils to make the most of leadership opportunities.
Speaking at the annual women mayors event, I urged female leaders to support other women working in local government and encourage them to take on leadership roles.
Women now make up 55 per cent of all local government employees, but just 16 per cent of chief executive positions and 34 per cent of director positions.
Last October’s local government elections saw an increase in female representation on councils – with 38 per cent of elected councillors now women, up from 34 per cent at the 2012 elections.
Victoria’s female mayors and executive council staff are important role models to women who are considering applying for that senior job or running for council at the next election.
We are definitely making progress, but we can’t take a backward step towards our goal of gender equity in local government.
Earlier this year, I launched a new program to assist women newly elected to councils.
The Listen, Learn and Lead Gender Equity Program was developed to support women and help them navigate the challenges associated with gender inequality in public service.
The Victorian Government has provided $20,000 to the ALGWA for the mentoring program, designed to encourage and support women elected to their local councils for the first time.
The program matches first time councillors with experienced current and former mayors, to capitalise on the wealth of knowledge that already exists with women in the local government sector.
For more information, visit algwa.com.au.
Natalie Hutchins, Local Government Minister
