Victorian Farmers Federation says it looks forward to working with the state’s new agriculture minister during a “future-shaping year”
The Victorian government has announced a new agriculture minister as part of a wider cabinet reshuffle.
Michaela Settle will be in charge of the agriculture portfolio along with being regional development minister.
Settle is the member for Eureka, a mixed rural-urban area west of Melbourne, and has previously spent more than a decade as owner-operator of her family’s sheep farm.
She replaces Ros Spence as agriculture minister, who has taken on several other portfolios including road safety.
Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking has praised the outgoing Spence for her work, saying she has “always been accessible to discuss the VFF’s priorities”.
Hosking says he is now looking forward to working with both Settle and newly appointed water minister Harriet Shing on issues impacting the state’s farmers.
“Our agriculture sector is one of the cornerstones of the Victorian economy and the lifeblood of our regional communities,” he says.
“It’s set to be a future-shaping year with November’s election just around the corner and we’ll waste no time getting to work with Minister Settle and Minister Shing and the full new ministerial lineup on behalf our Victorian farmers.
“Farmers are facing ongoing pressures at almost every turn. We need strong leadership and a future-focussed view and plan to ensure our industry can continue to grow and prosper.
“Our message to all sides of government is simple. Farmers and our regions matter and we look forward to working together to deliver real outcomes for our sector.”
