MURCHISON independent MLC Ruth Forrest has repeated a call for meaningful action and concrete solutions to address the challenges facing King Island and emphasised the need for commitment and follow-through from political leaders.
In an interview on King Island Radio, Ms Forrest acknowledged the challenging conditions faced by King Island, particularly the dry weather affecting farmers and expressed her appreciation for the community’s resilience but also highlighted the need for support.
How the Courier reported the crisis last month.
“I’ve never seen it like this … I do appreciate the enormous pressure that residents of King Island are facing at the moment,” she said.
Ms Forrest reemphasised the long-standing issue of unreliable shipping and the need for a more dependable service and pointed out that TasPorts’ removal of the shipping link from Grassy to Victoria has exposed the island to risk and created issues.
“We need a triangulated service… this is nothing new, but I think the drought and the really serious challenges we’re facing highlight that even more so,” she said.
Farmer representatives agree with the MLC and said that they had advised the Premier that if there were direct access to Victorian markets and their abattoirs, many of the issues they are facing around destocking; both JBS and Greenhams lack of kill space in Tasmania; shipping space trailer competition with general cargo and fodder imports, would not be so dire.
“Destocking, while a priority, as is importing fodder in the form of hay, silage and pellets, is a nightmare; JBS and Greenhams are booked out for kill space; we cannot tranship via Devonport to Victoria nor ship via Port Welshpool because the journey is too long,” they said in a letter to the Premier.
In the same letter, they requested that both JBS and Greenhams give priority to finished livestock and that particularly applies to finished stock eligible for MSA assessment. Ms Forrest also expressed concern about the lack of adequate funding for services like Rural Alive and Well, especially during challenging times.
“It’s after the rains come and the grass starts to grow again… farmers are in even more difficult circumstances sometimes,” she said.
Seasoned farmers agree and while reasons may vary, they predict that many farmers will face financial and mental hardship, despite the support of $20,000 offered by the government to eligible applicants.
“The next couple of months will be tough if it doesn’t rain. Those with water are watching it evaporate. The next financial year is when it will bite.
“Farmers have not been able to hold onto cattle, incurred unplanned or additional full shipping and increased rates and feed costs and are dependent on rains and then the grass growing.”
Ms Forrest said she was frustrated by political posturing around the election.
“I find it frustrating that we’re seeing very populist politics and policies being put forward… there are things they could have done years ago,” she said.