Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria) — In May this year the National Centre for
Farmer Health was in a dire situation. Having had its funding decimated by the
Napthine government, the centre was reducing its staff, which was originally 10
members and which then became 6 members, down to 2 members. The centre was
projected to remain operational only until the end of the last financial year,
when its final grant money was due to run out.

Last Friday I had the privilege of announcing that an Andrews
Labor government would commit $4 million funding to the National Centre for
Farmer Health. The people of Victoria did not vote for a government that would
comprehensively neglect those living in regional and rural areas.

The people of Victoria did not vote for a government which
would allocate a mere 4 per cent to the infrastructure budget or a government
that would choose to decimate TAFE. The people of Victoria did not vote for a
government that would fail to recognise the importance of health promotion,
research and advocacy, such as the work done at the National Centre for Farmer
Health.

We know that 25 per cent of Victorians live in regional areas,
that between 60 000 and 70 000 Victorians derive their primary income from
farming and that there are approximately 35 000 farms in Victoria. We know that
farming contributes more than $6.8 billion to the Victorian economy. Farming is
an important part of activity in our state, but particular issues come with that
type of work. Workplace accidents and deaths are far too common in farming.
There are also issues of hearing damage, increased levels of depression and risk
from exposure to carcinogens. There is a long list.

The funds required to keep the National Centre for Farmer
Health running are an excellent value-for-money proposition. I am proud that
Labor has pledged to keep this world-class, internationally renowned centre
alive to help Victorians for generations to come. It is the least we can do for
farmers, their families and their communities.